MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Earns First Victory of 2021, Defeats Philadelphia Union 1-2

Presented by Powerful Nutrition

By Inter Miami CF

April 25^th, 2021

Inter Miami CF (1-1-0, 3 points) earned its first victory of the 2021 season in its first road match, traveling to Subaru Park and defeating the reigning Supporters’ Shield champion Philadelphia Union (0-1-1, 1 point) 1-2.

Match Action

Inter Miami opened the match with an unchanged starting XI from a week ago, with Leandro González Pirez donning the captain’s armband.

The first big chance of the half came from Robbie Robinson in the 19th minute; the forward pressed well from the front, cutting off the passing lane and winning possession with an interception. He then drove towards the box from the left wing, beating one defender with a dribble and striking a powerful, curling shot that was denied by the woodwork.

The team continued to threaten both in and out of possession throughout the first half; the center back pairing of LGP and Nico Figal were strong at the back, winning aerial duels and stepping up for interceptions, while the midfield pairing of Gregore and Blaise Matuidi controlled the midfield, winning possession repeatedly and helping the team progress the ball.

In the 27th minute, Philadelphia native and former Union goalkeeper John McCarthy was called into action for the first time, making his first save of the match after the ball was deflected at him from close range, keeping the opponents scoreless as the match entered halftime 0-0.

Inter Miami opened the second half with a different look as Robinson was subbed off due to precaution and was replaced by Jay Chapman, making his first appearance of the season.

It was Philadelphia who opened the scoring, taking a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute; Kacper Przybylko played a cutting pass across the box that was found by Jamiro Monteiro who fired a strike into the back of the net.

Inter Miami made a pair of substitutions at different moments following the goal, first bringing on Federico Higuaín for Rodolfo Pizarro and later bringing on Sami Guediri for Joevin Jones.

In the 73rd minute, Inter Miami found an equalizing goal; Federico Higuaín stepped up to take a free kick from just above the upper righthand corner of the box and whipped in a pinpoint delivery that found his brother Gonzalo Higuaín in the box, who headed a shot past the keeper for an equalizer. The goal, scored in the City of Brotherly Love, marked the first time the brothers connected for a goal professionally, and just the eighth time in MLS history a pair of brothers connected for a goal. Notably, Inter Miami Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson connected with his brother Sean Henderson for a goal in June 1997. It was also Federico’s first assist for the team and Gonzalo’s second goal of the season.

MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Earns First Victory of 2021, Defeats Philadelphia Union 1-2

Inter Miami made its final two substitutions of the match in the 78th minute, bringing on Victor Ulloa for Matuidi and Ryan Shawcross for Leerdam; the substitution marked an MLS debut for Shawcross.

A few minutes later, Inter Miami claimed the lead for the first time in the match; Lewis Morgan played a through ball to Nico Figal, who made a strong run, cutting past two defenders before delivering a perfect left-footed cross to the head of Federico Higuaín in the box, who headed it home for his first goal with the team and a 1-2 lead in the 83rd minute. The group defensive effort helped Inter Miami seal its first win of the campaign.

Making History

The match marked head coach Phil Neville’s first victory as the Club’s manager and saw Gonzalo and Federico Higuaín score one goal each, including combining for the first; it was the first time in MLS history two brothers scored in the same game. It also saw Inter Miami hand Philadelphia its first regular season defeat at Subaru Park since the 2019 season.

Man of the Match

Federico Higuaín’s performance, in which he claimed his first goal and first assist with the team, saw him crowned Heineken Man of the Match. His 83rd minute goal proved to be the winner for Inter Miami.

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