Here’s what Inter Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles has to say about the D.C. United game
There is a reason goalkeeper Luis Robles wears the captain’s armband for Inter Miami; and it was on display Wednesday morning before practice.
Robles was asked by the gathered media to assess the team’s 1-0 road loss to Los Angeles FC in Sunday’s inaugural game and look ahead to Saturday’s road game at D.C. United. He thought about the question, the way he always does. He then delivered his response in the same calm, heady, authoritative way he plays between the posts.
The 35-year-old father of three has played professional soccer for 13 years, a five-year spell in Germany followed by eight seasons with the New York Red Bulls. Calling himself “an older, wiser owl,” he has perspective many fans and younger players often lack.
“Overall, we showed a lot of heart, a lot of fight,” Robles said. “We played for 90 minutes and even in the end, with the game in the balance, we almost nicked a point, which I thought would have been deserved. It was a good display of the character in this group. But...”
Robles proceeded to explain that all facets of Inter Miami’s game need to improve, that losing by just one goal to a Major League Soccer powerhouse was “a good foundation to build on,” but still nothing more than “a moral victory.”
Luis Robles issues warning
He cautioned about getting too excited or too critical of any player’s opening-game performance because the true test lies ahead, beginning with the less-hyped matchup that awaits them this weekend against D.C. United.
“When you consider everything that went on in that game, that’s an easy game to get up for,” he said. “First game in history, huge build up for it, we’re playing against last year Supporters’ Shield winners, it’s an incredible environment, sold out, one of most expensive opening day ticket in history of league – all those things allow a player to get up for it.
“Now, the real challenge is the next one, where there isn’t the same buildup and it’s not the same environment, not the same competition. Guys like Nico [Figal], myself, Roman, the veterans, it’s really important we find the motivation to compete at the highest level because we’re playing an in-conference opponent and all these points matter. D.C. is a match we cannot overlook.”
D.C. United is motivated
D.C. United lost its opening game 2-1 at home to the Colorado Rapids on a heartbreaking goal in the 92nd minute. Julian Gressel and Edison Flores played well, and the Black-and-Red will be fired up to rebound and give its home crowd a victory.
Playing in New York for so many years, Robles knows exactly what to expect from D.C. — not as much finesse and possession as LAFC, but a gritty, hungry team coached by Ben Olsen, who played 11 years in D.C. and for many years with the U.S. national team.
“With Ben you can expect a team that’s going to be scrappy,” Robles said. “If we’re not ready for the fight, especially in DC, it puts us in a tough situation. When it comes to Benny, it’s a team that has an engine that goes for 90 minutes and we have to be able to match that right out the gate.”
Robles has warned teammates not to feel too confident just because they held their own against LAFC.
“There is a danger in thinking, `OK, we just played against the best team last year, one of the best going into this season, and we only lost 1-0, so we’re in a good place,” Robles said. “But the fact of the matter is, we didn’t get any points. Even though it was on the road against a good team, and we played well, it’s about results. It isn’t about what we did last week. It’s about what we do this week.
“We need to build momentum. After D.C., we have our home opener against another difficult opponent (L.A. Galaxy with newly-signed Mexican star Chicharito). You can’t overlook anyone. D.C. came off a disappointing first game, losing at the very end, they’re going to motivated, especially at home, to right the ship.”
Robles is looking for “incremental improvements” this week. He wants the team to be more tactical and clinical in the final third, and “a little tidier” in the back. Most of all, he is looking for a win to reward Inter Miami fans, 300 of whom flew to Los Angeles for the opener.
“I’m looking forward to seeing who scores the first goal in history of this club, hopefully it happens this week,” he said. “And, hopefully, we’re also celebrating our first three points. This game is about results, getting three points for those fans because if we go out and have just moral victories every single time, that support wanes. We really need to reward those supporter groups, the people who spend hard-earned money to watch us play.”