Inter Miami CF Earns Late Win over Minnesota United FC

June 25, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Inter Miami CF News Release

Inter Miami CF earned a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United in the first-ever meeting between the teams, extending the club’s unbeaten run at DRV PNK Stadium to six. Second-half gamechanger and Heineken Man of the Match Indiana Vassilev found the back of the net twice in a five-minute span to secure all three points for Inter Miami. Vassilev became the first player in MLS history to score both a game-tying and game-winning goal after entering the game in the 80th minute or later.

Lineup Notes

Inter Miami took to the pitch with a trio of changes to its starting XI from the team’s last match. Drake Callender started in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Damion Lowe, Ryan Sailor and Chris McVey lined up in defense; Gregore, Victor Ulloa and Bryce Duke formed the midfield trio; Robert Taylor and Ariel Lassiter flanked striker Leonardo Campana in attack.

Sailor, Gregore and Ulloa returned to the starting XI in place of Aimé Mabika, the suspended Jean Mota and Indiana Vassilev for the match. Midfielder / defender Abel Caputo, meanwhile, made his debut in a First Team matchday squad after being signed on a short-term loan agreement from Inter Miami CF II.

Match Action

The match began to build slowly through the opening stages, with Inter Miami emerging with more possession and more chances as it progressed. The best chance of the half came in the 33rd minute, when a rapid counter down the left wing saw Lassiter play a perfect ball to Campana in front of goal, who connected first time with a shot on target, but Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made a diving save to deny him.

Moments later, the team threatened goal again following patient possession before Lassiter pinged a switch to Yedlin in the box, who headed it back to Campana, and the striker connected, but just missed the target. The match entered halftime scoreless, despite Inter Miami’s efforts in attack.

Minnesota United got on the scoresheet first in the 65th minute when Emanuel Reynoso cut the ball inside and played a long switch to Franco Fragapane who acrobatically redirected the ball back towards the top of the six-yard box. The redirected pass fell to the feet of Luis Amarilla, who calmly found the back of the net from close range to make it 0-1 for the visitors.

Then came the late game heroics. Neville made a trio of second half substitutions, Gonzalo Higuaín, Emerson Rodríguez and Vassilev, who all contributed to the result, most…