MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host D.C. United on Saturday as DRV PNK Stadium Operates at Full Capacity

By Inter Miami CF

May 27^th, 2021

Inter Miami CF (2W-2D-3L, 8 points) returns home after two matchdays on the road to host D.C. United (2W-0D-5L, 6 points). The clash at DRV PNK Stadium, which will see the stadium operate at full capacity for the first time in Club history, is set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET.

MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host D.C. United on Saturday as DRV PNK Stadium Operates at Full Capacity

HEAD COACH PHIL NEVILLE SAID

"Saturday gives us a really special occasion where we can put things right, where we can start building momentum," said head coach Phil Neville. "Saturday will be a special occasion where the club will have the operating at full capacity for the first time in its history. That's an occasion that the players and myself will be really be looking forward to and will want to produce a really good performance. We're all excited, we know what we have to do and we know the performance that we have to put in."

Where to Watch

The match will be regionally broadcast on CBS4 and UniMás. Fans located in the region can also stream the match for free in the Inter Miami App. Fans worldwide can follow live updates including video highlights and stats on the Club’s App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.

Historic Match at DRV PNK Stadium

Inter Miami will continue its second MLS campaign after falling 0-1 on the road against Chicago Fire FC in its last match when the team hosts D.C. United on Saturday. The matchup will mark a milestone for Inter Miami CF and DRV PNK Stadium, as the stadium will operate al full capacity for the first time-ever while abiding by MLS guidelines due to the rapid distribution of vaccinations in South Florida and increased demand from the team’s loyal fans. Fans interested in attending the match, or any of Inter Miami’s remaining home games in 2021, have the opportunity to go cheer on the team in person from the stands as single-match tickets have been available to the public.

Primeblue Jersey

The team will be sporting the adidas Primeblue jersey made with Parley Ocean Plastic in the match against D.C. United, which will then be auctioned to raise funds for the Inter Miami CF Foundation’s sustainability efforts. Fans can purchase the special edition jersey that was launched ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8 by visiting here.

Round two vs. D.C. United

Saturday’s fixture will be the second against D.C. United in Club history, as both sides met in the team’s second match of its inaugural campaign on March 7, 2020. Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro scored Inter Miami’s historic first MLS goal in the meeting.

Familiar Faces

This weekend’s matchup may feature a series of reunions between former teammates or rivals for both Inter Miami and D.C. United players. Defender / midfielder Break Shea has the opportunity of facing three former teammates, as he shared the pitch with Felipe Martins and Yordy Reyna during his time playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps between 2017 and 2018 and with Chris Seltz in 2012 while playing for FC Dallas. Shea has also faced D.C.’s Jon Kempin in MLS action in the past before joining Inter Miami, with Shea playing against him with former sides Orlando City SC and Atlanta United during Kempin’s stints with Sporting Kansas City and Columbus Crew SC. Defender Kelvin Leerdam may also play against former teammates and rivals on Saturday; as he played six times alongside Antonio Alfaro between 2017 and 2018 and previously took on Julian Gressel, Ola Kamara and Andy Nájar in MLS matches during his time as a Seattle Sounders player.

Goalkeeper John McCarthy has the opportunity to face Drew Skundrich after they played seven matches together for Philadelphia Union II in 2018. Lastly, Inter Miami midfielder Federico Higuaín can face a host of familiar faces on Saturday after his brief time as a D.C. United player in 2020.

On the other hand, Inter Miami’s Jay Chapman, Nicolás Figal and Pizarro will have the opportunity to meet several D.C. United player’s once again. Chapman previously played against Martins and Reyna each in two MLS matches while playing for Toronto FC, Figal faced Yamil Asad once in an Argentine Superliga match in 2016 during his time playing for Olimpo and in the sides’ previous matchup in 2020, and Pizarro played against Paul Arriola and Edison Flores during his time in Mexico’s Liga MX, while also taking on Arriola in an 2019 Gold Cup match in which Pizarro’s Mexico defeated the United States 1-0.

D.C. United's Record

D.C. enters this weekend’s matchup after a 0-1 defeat at home against the Philadelphia Union in their last fixture. In 2021, the team has recorded two wins and five losses, with midfielder Flores leading the side with one goal and one assist so far this season.

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