Inter Miami News and Notes: Kieran Gibbs, MLS Playoffs, and Player Fitness | The Heron Outlet
Phil Neville and Sergii Kryvtsov preview Inter Miami's upcoming match against CF Montreal.
photo courtesy of Inter Miami CF
Fort Lauderdale, FL - Inter Miami is ready to start the 2023 season on the right foot.
Speaking with the media today, Phil Neville and defender Sergii Kryvtsov previewed Miami’s season opener against CF Montreal.
Neville touched on various topics, including player fitness, the new MLS playoff format, and more.
On Kieran Gibbs….
Today, Inter Miami announced that former Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs will take an off-the-field commentary role with the team.
Initially reported by Tom Bogert of MLSsoccer.com, Gibbs and the club agreed and mutually terminated his contract.
The decision was made after the signing of Franco Negri, and the excellent form of Harvey Neville and Noah Allen (pre-injury) that Gibbs would have little to no playing time:
On The New MLS Playoff Format…
Controversy aside, Neville says he was quite happy with the playoff format, despite previous comments:
He spoke about how the team’s ambition to get a top-four spot in the East hasn’t changed despite nine teams in the Eastern Conference getting into the playoffs.
The best of three format was also something he spoke highly of.
On Player Fitness…
Luckily, everyone for Inter Miami is fully fit and available, bar Robbie Robinson (muscle tightness,) Noah Allen (knee,) Ian Fray (knee,) and Robert Taylor (getting his green card.)
Neville touched on Josef Martinez and whether or not he’ll be able to start on Saturday:
On The Fans…
Lastly, Neville talked about how important La Familia will be to the team if they hope to achieve their goals this season:
The club fully expects to have a sell-out crowd this weekend as well.
Sergii Kryvtsov Is Ready
After only playing 60 minutes vs. Austin FC last week, the 31-year-old is fully fit and ready for his MLS debut:
He says that he’s been learning English to communicate with his teammates and mentioned that when rooming with DeAndre Yedlin during their trip to Sarasota earlier in the month, he was a big help to him.
One thing is certain, both Neville and Kryvtsov want to start the season on the right foot. They have an excellent opportunity to do so against Montreal on Saturday.
Is Kryvstov much of an aerial threat to score on corners?