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Inter Miami CF vs Austin FC
March 6, 2022- The first ever meeting between two of the newest franchises in Major League Soccer took place at Q2 Stadium between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC. It is important to remember that both of these teams were amongst the lowest scoring teams last season. Miami looked to get another result after a scoreless draw against Chicago while Austin put five in the back of the net against Cincinnati.
Miami came into this match missing Damion Lowe due to injury which was a huge blow defensively for Phil Neville's men. The absence was felt immediately in the 22nd minute with the opening score of the match from Austins Sebastian Driussi who received service from Diego Fagundez. The play was reviewed by VAR to make sure the ball did not go out of play when Fagundez crossed it but the goal would stand. The goal scorer Driussi was a target for Miami in 2020 who ultimately ended up chasing and signing Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain.
Four minutes later in the 26th minute it would be Julio Cascante fort Austin off of a set piece serviced by Zan Kolmanic to make it a 2-0 match. The herons would enter the lockeroom at halftime finding themselves in a familiar situation to last season trailing the match.
Right off the bat to start the second half in the 51st minute it was Driussi once again off of a deflected pass deep in the area to make it a 3-0 match in favor of Austin. This would be a blow to Miami after starting the second half looking more disciplined and in control of possession.
The first goal allowed by Austin and the first goal for Miami would come in the 53rd minute off of a defensive mistake. A bad pass back would land the ball at the feet of Higuain who would service it to the overlapping Leonardo Campana who would sink it into the back of the net to make it a 3-1 match. Many thought this would give the herons some momentum in the match moving forward with an abundance of time in the second half.
The momentum would not last long when Austin captain Alex Ring crossed the ball into the 18 missing his target but finding the head of Ethan Finlay to put it past Diop in the 64th minute to make it 4-1 for the Texas side.
The damage was not done as Finlay would drill a rocket in the upper corner to make it 5-1 in the 90th minute. Austin has now scored 10 goals in two matches while Miami has now lost six out of its last seven road matches dating back to last season.
Inter Miami CF will host LAFC at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, March 12th at 1:30 pm EST.
Written by- Daniel Torres
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