Inter Miami CF vs Austin FC Tie 2-2 In A Fútbol Fiesta At DRV Pink Stadium

DRV Pink Stadium – Inter Miami CF played to a 2-2 draw against Austin FC in its final preseason game Saturday afternoon, the match was part of the Fútbol Fiesta event at the stadium. The Fútbol Fiesta presented some perks for season ticket members and fans which included a meet and greet for season ticket holders with the entire team, a Merch Madness sale, and Inter Miami’s reveal of its “La Noche” away jersey. It was a great event to end the preseason and get ready for the home opener next week against CF Montreal.

Llegó #LaNoche 🌙 pic.twitter.com/Tev0K8JK9N

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 17, 2023

The Starting XI for Miami against Austin FC will most likely be the same squad that starts the home opener.  New acquisitions Kryvtsov, Negri, Stefanelli, Martinez, along with Pizarro received the nod from Coach Phil Neville, and they did not disappoint. The Herons appeared to begin the match in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with Negri, Kryvtsov, Mcvey, and Yedlin forming the back four. Gregore, Mota, Pizarro, and Stefanelli made up the midfield diamond, with Campana and Martinez the dynamic duo as forwards.

pic.twitter.com/GWMtBQF39O

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 18, 2023

Inter Miami CF came out strong early and created several chances to get on the scoreboard, but Martinez and Campana could not capitalize on their opportunities. The Heron’s midfield controlled the tempo with various sequences of short and long combinations that led to shots on the Austin goal. The Verde had chances of their own, but neither team did any damage and they went into the half 0-0.

Harvey Neville came on for Franco Negri to begin the second half with the Argentine defender coming off with a mild injury.

Austin scored the first goal of the match on a one-man counter-attack by Emiliano Rigoni who blasted his shot past Drake Callender, giving Austin the 0-1 lead.

Near the 60′ minute Kryvtsov, Stefanelli, and Martinez came off for Sailor, Duke, and Jean. The substitutions paid off almost immediately, with Coco Jean whipping a right-footed shot past Brad Stuver to tie the game at 1-1. Bryce Duke provided the assist for Coco. The formation changed to a 4-2-3-1 for the Herons with Campana as the lone striker.

Only a few moments later at the 68′ minute, the Joker Rodolfo Pizarro rocketed a magnificent kick past Stuver to give Miami the 2-1 lead. Pizarro was very active in the match and looked to be in great physical condition.

#InterMiamiCF get on the board with Coco & the Joker ..#MLS https://t.co/EOagMHLTwf

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 18, 2023

Mota and Pizarro came off the pitch near the 78′ minute, giving way to Ulloa and Lassiter. Miami took its foot off the pedal and allowed Austin FC to gain possession of the ball and nearly the game.

Owen Wolff launched a marvelous curbing shot that went past Callender to tie the match at 2-2, giving the Verde a hard-fought draw at DRV Pink Stadium.

Press Conference

Coach Phil Neville answered some questions from the media, and he made a statement that caught my attention,

“I was really pleased with the players and the chances that we created, the enjoyment that they played with. We tried one or two things, but I supposed today it was more about wanting them to play with a little more freedom.”

This statement was about the team, but it could have been directed at Rodolfo Pizarro. The Joker had a good game and scored a magnificent goal. He looked in great shape, and he seemed to be enjoying his time on the pitch, free to move around and find the ball to create. Pizarro appears to be motivated to have a strong season for the Herons.

Final Thoughts

Chris Henderson has done it again, he added new pieces to the puzzle that have made the squad stronger than the previous season, all while still under sanctions. Stefanelli, Kryvtsov, Negri, Martinez, each had a good game on Saturday.

Stefanelli was very active, quick with the ball at his feet, and helpful on defense, he looks like a strong addition to the attack.

Kryvtsov has the composure of a veteran player that knows how to transmit calmness and confidence to the defense.

Negri brings a good balance to the left-back position with his ability to go forward in attack and solid defending.

Martinez is a proven commodity and already looks like he has chemistry with Campana, with time and better conditioning he should provide double-digit goals for the Herons.

I thought the starting team controlled a good Austin FC team for long stretches of the match, looking cohesive and dangerous with the ball.  Goals must be scored, and it has to come from Campana and Martinez first, with Stefanelli, Duke, and Mota scoring close to fifteen goals between them from the midfield during the season in my estimation.

Preseason is over and Miami did not win much during training matches, and this cannot carry over to the regular season, and I don’t believe it will. CF Montreal was a very good team last campaign and will be a good barometer to measure where Inter Miami CF finds itself currently.  The Herons must take flight immediately and start the season on a positive note in their match against Montreal and continue the trend of making DRV Pink Stadium (The Nest) a stronghold for the team.