Field Level Media
03 Jun 2023, 04:10 GMT+10
Inter Miami will play their first match since the firing of coach Phil Neville when they take on D.C. United on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami (5-10-0, 15 points) suffered their fourth straight loss Wednesday night, 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls. Miami's lackluster performance so far this season has led it to last place in the Eastern Conference, resulting in the club dismissing Neville on Thursday. Miami named assistant Javier Morales as interim head coach.
"We are and always have been an ambitious club," managing owner Jorge Mas said in a statement. "Sometimes the path to growth involves difficult decisions and (Thursday) is one of those moments. We are grateful to Phil for the dedication and tenacity he brought to Inter Miami."
One of the biggest problems to solve for Morales as interim coach is in front of goal. Miami's attack is second-worst in the conference, with only 14 goals through 15 games. Only two players have scored more than one goal this season, Leonardo Campana and Josef Martinez, each with three.
Not all is completely lost, however. Though Miami sits last in the conference, the team is only five points out of a playoff spot. That likely played a large role in Neville's dismissal as Inter Miami look to salvage their season.
D.C. (5-6-5, 20 points) dropped points midweek with a 2-2 draw against CF Montreal. Donovan Pines and Theodore Ku-Dipietro each scored to give D.C. United a 2-0 lead after 59 minutes, but two goals by Montreal in the final 10 minutes forced the draw.
"It's a strange game, isn't it?" D.C. United coach Wayne Rooney said after the game. "I thought we had control of the game and never really felt worried. ... But I stress it before every game, I said it before this game, I said it at halftime: concentration, and we let that slip for a short period and it's cost us two points."
Whether it's a problem with concentration as Rooney said or something else, United needs to shore up ahead of goalkeeper Tyler Miller. He's made 43 saves and has posted a 1.25 goals-against average. That average is better than the goalkeeper he will be lined up against Saturday night, Drake Callender, who has a 1.27 GAA.
D.C. United midfielder Lewis O'Brien was suspended for Saturday's match due to serious foul play late in the Montreal game. O'Brien stepped on the back of an opponent's right calf during a tackle from behind; he was issued a yellow card at the time but the league's disciplinary committee issued a red card suspension.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Austin Globe news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Austin Globe.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed firmly in positive territory to start the week Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that her government is investigating possible environmental...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Walmart is set to close a major Sam's Club fulfillment center in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of a shift in...
Washington DC [US], July 2 (ANI): NASA astronaut Anil Menon has been assigned his first mission to the International Space Station,...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 30 (ANI): Anupam Kher's upcoming directorial 'Tanvi The Great' is creating a buzz in the entertainment...
Dallas [US], June 30 (ANI): The South African stars of Texas Super Kings (TSK) rose to the occasion as they secured a commanding 39-run...
Washington DC [US], June 30 (ANI): Former news anchor Lauren Sanchez officially tied the knot with Jeff Bezos in a star-studded Italian...