Inter Miami keeps focus on home opener amid news of coronavirus-related cancellations
Nothing has come easy for Inter Miami during its six-year, hurdle-filled launch. And now, the week of the expansion team’s long-awaited home debut, the escalating news of sporting events canceled by the threat of the coronavirus looms over Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
For now, the game is on, although the club is monitoring the situation and following advice from county and health department officials.
More than 3,000 season-ticket holders showed up at the new Fort Lauderdale stadium Tuesday night for an open training session, and a regularly-scheduled practice and news conference Thursday are still scheduled.
“We’re calm, and confident the club and MLS will take care of us,” defender Andres Reyes said. “As players, we are focused on winning the game this weekend.”
After two close, heartbreaking losses to start their inaugural season, Inter Miami players are eager to earn their first win on home soil in front of 19,000 fans.
“Our mind-set is we have to win this game for the club, the fans, by any means necessary, and everyone is pretty anxious to see what that stadium is like full,” said forward Juan Agudelo, who will likely get more playing time as starter Robbie Robinson injured his knee last Saturday in a 2-1 loss at D.C. United. “Personally, I’m trying not to get too anxious [about the home opener]. It’s another game between the lines. We have been waiting for this debut for a long time.”
Winger Lewis Morgan of Scotland said there is an extra buzz in the locker room this week.
“Obviously, the fans have been waiting years for this moment and there’s an excitement in the team, and we are really looking forward to it,” Morgan said. “We feel we should have more to show for our efforts the first two matches, but sometimes football makes you work harder for things. We’ve got a massive game coming up.”
The Galaxy is awaiting its first win of the season after tying Houston Dynamo 1-1 and losing 1-0 to Vancouver. Newly signed Mexican star Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has yet to score, and the pressure is on. Miami players also feel pressure to get the first win at home.
“There’s always pressure, but the longer it goes, you want to get the win under your belt,” Morgan said. “But I think everyone can see what we’re trying to do. I have no doubts we’ll get there and we’ll be successful this year. The first two results are tough to take, but it’s a learning curve for a load of the boys on this squad; it’s the first time playing in this league. We’re only going to get better.”
Morgan and Reyes, a 20-year-old from Colombia, both said they joined Inter Miami because they wanted to make history in a new country.
“We’re creating history for this club and we are part of the group that is doing the first of everything,” Morgan said. “We want to be the first successful team in club history, too.”
It appeared Inter Miami was on its way to its first win against D.C. United after Morgan scored a goal to give Miami at 2-0 lead, but the goal was nullified due to a Roman Torres hand ball on the other end of the field. Torres got a red card and will miss Saturday’s game.
“It’s the highs and lows — one moment we’re ecstatic and the next we’re 1 each and down to 10 men,” Morgan said. “And that five minutes after that goal probably was the only five minutes where we just came off mentally. It’s quite tough when stuff like that happens, but with VAR in football now, it’s something we have to get used to.”
David Beckham suits up with Ralph Lauren
Beckham asked Ralph Lauren and its top-shelf Purple Label tailoring department for five custom suits, one for each of the Inter Miami co-owners.
“Being an Englishman, we’re very into our elegant suits,” Beckham said in a social media release by Ralph Lauren. “I’ve spent quite a lot of time over the years, even when I was young, on Savile Row, because my granddad was always into tailoring, so to have a Made to Measure suit by Ralph is a dream for me.”
The suits are custom-fitted to each owner, feature Italian wool gabardine, custom-woven silk neckties and a variety of thematic touches. They have Inter Miami patches on the chest pockets and a club logo on the tip of the tie. The palette chosen for the garments also tie in with the club’s colors: black, pink and white.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 6:38 PM.