Recap and Analysis from Inter Miami's 2-0 Win over Philadelphia | The Heron Outlet
Back to back shutouts and an improved performance overall see the Herons off to their best start in club history. Six points in two games.
photo courtesy of Inter Miami CF
Fort Lauderdale, FL - Inter Miami improved upon their best start in club history by taking down reigning Eastern Conference Champions, the Philadelphia Union, by a scoreline of 2-0 on Saturday night.
Both goals, scored by Corentin Jean and Robert Taylor, came from outside the box and displayed this roster's quality.
The game got off to a hot start as Miami pushed numbers forward right from kickoff. In the first minute, there was a flurry of chances around the Philadelphia net between Josef Martinez and Rodolfo Pizarro as they pushed the ball forward immediately.
Although they failed to connect, Union Head Coach Jim Curtin explained how important it was for Miami to start with that:
The first half went all Miami’s way as they took control of the ball and, through a ton of rough play from the Union, which was penalized by a couple of early yellows, got the opening goal in the 32nd minute thanks to Jean backing up Pizarro in the midfield.
As time ticked on in the first, Jean found more success offensively as he naturally drifted inside.
All too often on the wing to start the match, this 4-2-3-1 saw him isolated out on the right flank, and his play improved as he moved inward.
The goal was a direct result of that. As he tracked play from behind toward the middle of the field, an opportunity was presented for him to impact the match, and he did just that. That touch from the outside of the right boot for control set him up perfectly to rip through the ball and beat one of MLS’s best keepers from a distance.
Minutes, maybe seconds after the match restarted, one of Miami’s worst habits came about again. They immediately gave up a chance inside their own 18 following the goal, but fortunately, Drake Callender did enough to stop the always-dangerous Daniel Gazdag.
Going into halftime, Miami held onto a 1-0 lead and put themselves in a prime position to come away with all three points.
Their record in matches where Miami has a halftime lead now improves to nine wins, two draws, and no losses following the wins against Montreal and Philadelphia, dating back to the beginning of the 2022 season.
Philadelphia went after the control of the game a bit more to start the second half and mostly got it, but never found success getting into areas where they could be most dangerous.
Miami’s defensive organization and shape, even following the injury to Franco Negri (no update yet) in the 60th minute, stayed intact throughout every part of this one.
Christopher McVey moved to the left as Ryan Sailor came on for the injured Negri. About fifteen minutes later, Robert Taylor came on, who, by and large, sealed this game in more ways than one.
There aren’t enough words in the English dictionary to describe the pure class displayed with this 77th-minute goal.
But if there were one that could do it, it’d be Ray Hudson’s favorite, “magisterial.” The Finnish international sealed the Union’s fate late in the match with this stunning strike, and all Miami had to do was preserve the lead.
All eyes and attention will be on the wonder goal scored by Taylor, but tactically in defense, he also made an impact. Miami head coach Phil Neville instructed there to be a back-five, and Taylor played in a left-wing-back role.
As the game stretched out, ensuring the flanks were covered and controlling the numbers in and around their area proved vital. Philadelphia found little to no success breaking through Miami’s backline, and with Callender there to scoop up most of the chances, a second clean sheet in two matches capped off a stunning result at DRV PNK Stadium.
Miami has added to their already best start in club history and finds themselves able to gain a ton more points than they ever have to begin the season.
The Herons are set to take on NYCFC next week in New York. Being away from home for the first time this season, especially against the team who knocked them out of the 2022 MLS Playoffs, will be a test this team will look to overcome.
Nice job, Austin. I’m very pleased with the Herons’ poise and confidence, both sorely lacking this time a year ago. A lot of people doubt Neville’s coaching, but so far, so good. If he and Chris continue building this culture, that might realize some of the ownership’s lofty goals.