Inter Miami looking to bounce back after LA Galaxy defeat

Planet Sport writer
23 April 2021

Playing in the second game of their second season, you wouldn’t expect Inter Miami CF to be under pressure. But this isn’t a normal second-year professional franchise.

This is a franchise owned by David Beckham. With Phil Neville as manager and expensive players like Gonzalo Higuain. It is also a franchise that just got busted for breaking the rules and one that is based in one of the most popular cities in the world in Miami.

That brings celebrity fans as Beckham watched the opener with Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, musician Pharrell Williams, and club owner David Grutman.

So with all that stacked against them, the Herons need to win. And they need to win soon. Beckham already fired the expansion season coach, and that was after an unexpected play-off run.

Now his former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville is on the touchline after a stint with the England Women's team. The Herons led twice last week against LA Galaxy but ultimately lost 3-2 in the first game of the season.

The schedule makers did them no favours with a weekend trip to Philadelphia Union in Matchweek 2. The Union won the Supporters' Shield last year and drew 0-0 against holders Columbus Crew in the opener.

Higuain scored in the opener against the Galaxy with a penalty kick. He also assisted on Robbie Robinson's goal, while goalkeeper John McCarthy made two saves in the loss.

Paddy Power has the Herons as underdogs this weekend at 23/10. The Union are 11/10, and a draw is 11/4.

LAFC stars expected to miss Seattle showdown

LAFC started the season with a 2-0 away win over expansion-side Austin FC, but they are expected to be short handed in week two in the home opener. LAFC will face Western Conference rivals Seattle Sounders at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Striker Carlos Vela has not finished a training session yet this week after coming off the pitch in the 22nd minute in the opener. He appeared to injure himself while reaching out for the ball and wanted to stay in the game, but manager Bob Bradley subbed him off.

Now it looks like Vela is injured and will not play against Seattle. His attacking partner Diego Rossi is also hurting and missed the opener completely with a hamstring injury.

A matchup with History. See you on Saturday.

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Rossi has practiced this week but is nowhere near 100% after three healthy seasons in Los Angeles. Bradley hasn't ruled either player out but said that both are questionable at best to suit up against the Sounders.

Meanwhile, South Korean international Kim Moon-hwan is ready to return from a knee injury but not ready to play a full 90 minutes. Bradley indicated they will continue to get Moon-hwan ready in short bursts after his long layoff.

LAFC are 17/20 against Seattle with a draw at 16/5, according to Paddy Power. The Sounders are also 16/5 after thrashing Minnesota United FC 4-0 in the opening weekend win.