Higuain begins to train with Inter Miami; rest of schedule revealed

Gonzalo Higuain participated in his first full-team practice with Inter Miami CF on Tuesday, but their new star player won’t be available for Wednesday’s home game versus the New York Red Bulls.

Higuain had been training at the club’s practice facility in Fort Lauderdale away from his teammates since arriving in South Florida earlier in the month while being subjected to Major League Soccer’s COVID-19 protocol, which included mandatory testing and a quarantine period.

The former Juventus forward won’t be available to play in a match until he receives his visa and international transfer certificate.

Inter Miami coach Diego Alonso told reporters Tuesday afternoon that the club doesn’t know whether Higuain will receive the necessary documents in time to be eligible for the team’s Sunday game against the Philadelphia Union, or if they’ll have to wait another week.

Nonetheless, Inter Miami players were excited to finally be able to train with the Argentine forward.

“It was really nice to be able to train with him because up until now, it was almost like he was a zoo animal because we would be inside and watch through the window while he trained by himself,” said Luis Robles, Inter Miami captain and goalkeeper. “He’s even more special when you actually train with him. Having guys like him and Blaise [Matuidi] make our team better.”

Robles said the additions of Higuain and Matuidi, who were teammates at Juventus and make Inter Miami the only club in MLS to have two World Cup finalists on its roster, make the team feel complete.

“We knew at the beginning of the season that come summertime there would be some additions,” Robles said. “With all the ups and downs the 2020 season has been thus far, one of the bigger challenges is that we didn’t have a complete roster. But we’re getting there. It does feel like the group is complete.”

Inter Miami (3-7-2, 11 points) will be counting on the duo as they continue to make their push for a spot in the playoffs during the final half of the season.

The team has gone 3-2-2 since August and is 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, but only one point outside of a playoff slot. FC Cincinnati (3-6-3, 12 points) is currently in 10th place (the last playoff position in the conference).

While Higuain won’t play against the Red Bulls,

Robbie Robinson will available for Inter Miami after missing their 2-1 win against Atlanta United FC because he was sick.

Julian Carranza remains out due to an ankle injury, and Andres Reyes will be suspended for Wednesday’s match due to yellow-card accumulation.

Inter Miami will allow players’ families and additional staff members to attend Wednesday’s game, which will make them the first “fans” at a game inside Inter Miami CF Stadium.

“My family is really excited about being able to go to the game because it’s the first time they’re going to be able to go to the stadium and watch,” Robles said. “I know it’s not totally open yet, but when you consider that we haven’t even been able to play in front of our family, it is exciting that that is going to happen tomorrow.

“For my kids, they’re excited for daddy to play against the New York Red Bulls. They do wear the Red Bulls gear still, but their preference is definitely the black and pink right now.”

Robles played for the Red Bulls from 2012-19, starting 238 MLS regular-season games, including an MLSrecord 183 consecutive starts from 2012 through 2018.

He was named the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015 and won the Supporters’ Shield with the Red Bulls in 2013, 2015 and 2018.

“I’m not the most sentimental person,” Robles said. “This is one of those moments where that plays to my advantage. It’ll definitely be fun to play against those guys, but there isn’t necessarily a ton of me that thinks this is such a special game. Without coming off as contrite, it’s just our next game.”

Remainder of regular season schedule announced: MLS announced the remainder of the 2020 regular season schedule Tuesday afternoon.

Here are Inter Miami’s final nine games of their inaugural regular season, with local broadcast information to be announced at a later date:

■ New York City FC, Oct. 3 at Inter Miami CF Stadium

■ New York Red Bulls, Oct. 7 at Red Bull Arena

■ Houston Dynamo, Oct. 10 at Inter Miami CF Stadium

■ Atlanta United FC, Oct. 14 at Inter Miami CF Stadium

■ Montreal Impact, Oct. 17 at Red Bull Arena

■ Orlando City SC, Oct. 24 at Inter Miami CF Stadium

■ FC Dallas, Oct. 28 at Toyota Stadium

■ Toronto FC, Nov. 1 at Rentschler Field

■ FC Cincinnati, Nov. 8 at Inter Miami CF Stadium