Inter Miami ties Austin in final preseason game
Inter Miami held its final dress rehearsal for the 2023 season on Saturday afternoon and wound up settling for a
2-2 tie against Austin FC.
The Miami goals came from substitute Coco Jean, who scored in the 61st minute just after entering the game, and midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro, who blasted a perfect shot just under the crossbar in the 68th minute.
Miami held onto the lead until the 86th minute, when Owen Wolff, the teenage son of Austin coach Josh Wolff, sent a curling shot into the upper right corner to tie the game.
But the score at DRV PNK Stadium was not as important as the takeaways Miami coach Phil Neville and his staff carry into next week as they prepare for the regular season home opener Saturday against CF Montreal.
“I was really pleased with the quality of play, the chances we created, the enjoyment with which they played,” Neville said. “There was some fantastic movement. Now, the talking’s over. We’re into the real deal.”
Asked for his evaluation of forward Josef Martinez, the Venezuelan 2018 MLS MVP, who came to Miami from Atlanta United last month to replace retired Gonzalo Higuain, Neville said he is three to four weeks from reaching peak fitness.
“We need to be patient with Josef,” Neville said. “He’s not ready yet. He’s a long way off. But there is something there that tells you he’s going to score goals.”
Martinez had two chances in the first half, but both shots were saved by Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver. “A sharper Josef would have scored those,”
Neville said.
Neville said he was frustrated at halftime that his team had not scored two goals, considering the chances and shots they created.
“I said to them, ‘I hope you saved it for next week,’ ” Neville said.
Some of the encouraging signs:
Nico Stefanelli, the smallest player on the field at 5-5, was impossible to miss. The newly signed Argentine midfielder was extremely active, involved in most of Miami’s buildups, and showed with his vision and slick passes around the box that he will likely replace the departed Alejandro Pozuelo as primary playmaker.
“Stefanelli, once the sharpness comes and that connection comes with others, I think we’re going to see a real good player,” Neville said.
The other new Argentine, left back Franco Negri, hinted that he will be a serious threat up the left flank, as he pushed the ball up numerous times during his 45 minutes before being replaced at halftime by Harvey Neville, the coach’s son.
And Pizarro, who is back with the team after spending last season on loan in the Mexican league, displayed the boundless energy and positive attitude team owners expected when they signed him as the club’s first high-priced Designated Player back in 2020.
“He looked like he enjoyed his football, he played with freedom and a smile on his face,” Neville said of Pizarro. “That’s what we’ve seen all preseason. The one thing we’re asking from him is goals, and he scored a goal that was sensational. That’s the next piece. If you’re going to be that type of player, you have to produce those moments of qualities. I liked his attitude and body language. The rest will come.”
Although Neville may make some tweaks for the season opener, the starting lineup he used Saturday will most likely be what fans will see against Montreal.
Drake Callender, who just signed a contract extension, started at goalkeeper. The back line included U.S. national team right back DeAndre Yedlin, Ukrainian center back Serhiy Kryvtsov, Swedish center back Christopher McVey, and Negri.
Kryvtsov and Negri joined the team this offseason. Neville said Kryvtsov “brought some composure to the back four, he has real leadership qualities” and Negri “has great energy going forward and is going to be a real good attacking left back.”
Negri came off at halftime as a precaution after suffering a slight injury in the first half.
Starting in the midfield were Brazilians Gregore and Jean Mota, Stefanelli and Pizarro.
Ecuadorean forward
Leo Campana, Miami’s second-leading scorer last season, started up top alongside Martinez. There were flashes that the partnership between the two could develop into a dangerous duo.
Another player who showed flair was midfielder Bryce Duke, who went in as a sub with Jean and immediately assisted on Jean’s goal. Neville said Duke was “the best player in the whole club” over the past five days at training. “There’s something different about him. He looks more mature and ready.”
Tickets for Saturday’s season opener are available at intermiamicf.com
Michelle Kaufman: 305-376-3438, @kaufsports
‘‘ HIS IMPROVEMENT HAS NOT BEEN INCREMENTAL; IT’S BEEN OVER THE TOP THIS YEAR. Heat president Pat Riley, about Bam Adebayo