Campana hat trick delivers first win
Inter Miami forward Leo Campana, starting in place of injured Gonzalo Higuain, scored the club’s first hat trick for the team’s first win of the season.
The laughter and loud music emanating from the Inter Miami locker room after Saturday’s 3-2 win over the New England Revolution said it all. Finally, the men in pink had something to celebrate and they did so with music ranging from the Mamma Mia soundtrack to Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy.”
After five winless games, Inter Miami’s anemic offense came to life and the team won for the first time this season on a trio of goals by Ecuadorean forward Leo Campana, starting in place of Gonzalo Higuain, who sat out with a slight knee injury.
It was the first hat trick in club history.
His first goal was a header in the
17th minute, an equalizer off an assist from Ariel Lassiter after the Revolution had taken the early lead with a Justin Rennicks’ goal. His go-ahead goal came in the 23rd minute on a cross from Robbie Robinson. Then, in the 88th minute, late-game sub Bryce Duke dribbled into the penalty area, crossed a ball that was dropped by Revs goalkeeper Brad Knighton, and Campana tapped in the game-clincher.
As Campana was engulfed by his teammates, Inter Miami coach Phil Neville pumped his fists and celebrated near the bench.
Despite the win, Miami and New England are tied at 1-4-1 in last place in the Eastern Conference.
“Our message we said after the game was, ‘That was just our first win of the season, in Game 6, we shouldn’t get carried away and go out on the town,’ ” Neville said. “We should be focusing on the next game against Seattle. We’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do.
“But I was happy for them. What you saw was a reflection of what we’re trying to build, 18 players all fighting for each other, that stuck to the game plan.”
Neville said he only regrets that team owners David Beckham, Jorge and
Jose Mas were not at DRV PNK Stadium to see it. Beckham’s son, Brooklyn, was getting married in Palm Beach on Saturday, so they all missed the game. Neville was headed there after the game.
“The only sad thing is the owners weren’t here to share in the victory,” Neville said. “I know they’ve been hurting. They’re so passionate. They want what you saw on the field [Saturday], goals, action and excitement because we want the crowds in here.”
He said he was proud that the team played with freedom and unity, two things that had been lacking.
Asked if he felt the team played freer and more confident without Higuain, Neville said: “I think what you see a lot in this league is that there’s massive pressure on the DP [highpriced Designated Player] and when the DP’s playing there’s almost an excuse, ‘Well, he’s not doing it, so I’m OK.’ I said to them today, ‘Look guys, can’t point your fingers at Gonzalo if we lose the game. It’s deliver time. You can’t hide behind the DP who earns all the money.’ ”
Neville said having to play without their highestpaid player was good for the team.
“The freedom came because they had to grow up, and the shackles came off, it’s almost like we let them off the leash,” he said. “When there’s a free kick or corner kick, they couldn’t just look around, ‘Where’s Gonzalo?’ It was a no-excuse game.”
Neville said he looks forward to having Higuain back for next week’s road game at Seattle.
“I think it would be stupid for us to sit here today and say, ‘We can say goodbye to Gonzalo.’ Gonzalo is a big part of this club, he’s got a massive contract for us to deliver, he’s one of the group of players we need.”
But Campana more than delivered in the absence of Higuain. Neville asked him to stay in the box and let the ball come to him, and it worked.
“It’s his moment,” Neville said of Campana. “I watched him play for Ecuador in the FIFA Under 20s World Cup and there’s a player in there. You see by the size of him, the sheer physicality of him, he’s got everything you need from a good oldfashioned center forward … his finishing is at the top order. He’s a young kid. He has four goals for us now. I really like him and believe in him.”
When Campana arrived at Inter Miami this offseason, he told Neville he wanted to get to the World Cup. The coach assured him he would put him in position to get there. The 21-year-old, on loan from English Premier League team Wolverhampton Wanderers, made a name for himself during the 2021 Copa America and World Cup qualifying matches, but had struggled to catch on with Wolves.
He got emotional after the game Saturday, when asked what his father, former professional tennis player Pablo Campana, told him after scoring the hat trick. Campana’s parents, siblings and uncles were at DRV PNK Stadium for the game.
“My family knows how much I have suffered the past few years, and I am so grateful for them,” he said, tearing up. “I never stopped working and they were the ones who stuck by me, so it was nice to celebrate with them.”
Miami plays at Seattle on Saturday and plays Miami FC in the U.S. Open Cup on April 19.
Michelle Kaufman: 305-376-3438, @kaufsports