Neville: Promising signs in scrimmage loss
Inter Miami coach Phil Neville got another look at his young, revamped squad Saturday night in a scrimmage against D.C. United, and though the visitors won 1-0, Neville was encouraged.
“What we’ve learned is there’s a lot more speed on the team, a lot more energy, we’re going to be a lot more aggressive in our approach,” he said.
Neville was particularly pleased with new Brazilian midfielder Jean Mota and the trio of young defenders – 19-year-old Ian Fray, 2021 draft pick Aime Mabika, and Harvey Neville, the coach’s 19-year-old son, who is awaiting a green card and is not yet on the roster.
“We said before the game to Aime, Ian, Harvey, ‘Release the shackles, take the hand break off,’ as we say in England, and just fly, go for it,” Neville said. “You saw that in the first half, there was a real intent to be positive.”
The game remained scoreless at halftime before both teams brought on multiple subs.
Seventeen-year-old Jackson Hopkins, who plays for D.C. United’s USL Loudoun United team, scored the game’s lone goal midway through the second half. He collected a nice ball in the box and got it past Miami keeper Celeste Diop.
“Two different halves,” Neville said. “There was some real aggressive play in the first half, maybe some composure was needed, but I was pleased at halftime. I was really disappointed with the goal we gave away. It was a sloppy goal to give away. But it was a good workout. Three games in, fitnesswise we’re in really, really good shape. We just need those six, seven guys out there who were missing.”
Injured Miami players who sat out were starting goalkeeper Nick Marsman (recovering from knee surgery), captain Gregore (recovering from hernia surgery), defender Kieran Gibbs (back), and newcomers Leonardo Campana (calf), Emerson Rodriguez (hamstring) and Bryce Duke (quad).
Neville said Gregore, Gibbs and Campana should return to practice Monday. Rodriguez may need another week and Duke could be out another three weeks.
Also missing were defenders Damion Lowe and Jairo Quinteros, who are on national team duty, Lowe with Jamaica and Quinteros with Bolivia.
Miami had three decent scoring chances.
Winger Ariel “Ari” Lassiter, displaying the speed he inherited from his father, former MLS standout Roy Lassiter, sprinted up the right sideline and crossed the ball to Gonzalo Higuain, whose shot sailed above the crossbar.
Victor Ulloa had a good header off an Edison Azcona corner kick early in the second half, but it was saved. Miami native George Acosta, recovered from knee surgery, launched a free kick later in the game, but it, too, was saved.
A few things are apparent from Saturday’s scrimmage and Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Peruvian team Universitario:
Lassiter, acquired from the Houston Dynamo, is a difference-maker.
“There’s not many defenders who will be able to keep up with him, so he really gives us the opportunity to stretch the teams and him and Harvey are getting a real good combination down that righthand side,” Neville said.
Mota displayed composure under pressure, and former Atlanta United midfielder Mo Adams had boundless energy and was strong on the ball. Neville said of Adams: “He’s like a tiger in midfield, the ability to cover ground.”
Higuain and Robbie Robinson look fit and switched between central and outside roles in the attack.
In the back, 19-year-old Coconut Creek native
Fray showed poise that belies his age. Fray scored in the Universitario game and made things difficult for D.C. Mabika was a vocal leader.
Halftime substitutions: Clement Diop for Callender, Ethan Hardin for McVey, Edison Azcona for Lassiter, Victor Ulloa for Mota, and George Acosta for Shea. Later in the second half Neville emptied the bench and sent in a half-dozen players from the USL Fort Lauderdale team, including David Beckham’s son, Romeo.
Inter Miami has another closed-door scrimmage Friday against Montreal and an open training session in front of fans Saturday afternoon at the stadium.
Michelle Kaufman: 305-376-3438, @kaufsports