Gonzalo Higuain’s status unknown heading into ‘massive’ three-game week for Inter Miami
The positive energy around the Inter Miami training grounds Tuesday was palpable following Saturday’s 3-2 home victory against the New England Revolution, the team’s first win of the season.
“There’s been a miles’ better feeling and energy around the place since the win, and we all agreed Monday morning we want that feeling to stay with us by winning more games,” Neville said of his team, which had been winless through the first five games.
He went on to say the next 10 days are “massive” as they have three games — on the road against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday (10 p.m., FS1), at FIU Stadium Tuesday night against USL club Miami FC in the U.S. Open Cup, and then at home April 24 against Atlanta United.
“It’s the first time this season we have three games in a week, so we’ll need to utilize our whole squad,” he said.
It is unknown whether forward Gonzalo Higuain will be available for the Seattle game. He sat out last Saturday’s 3-2 home win over New England, and the club reported he had a slight knee injury. Higuain did not participate in training Tuesday.
Neville said the Argentine star is “day-to-day,” and the team should know by Thursday whether he will be able to play on Saturday. Neville said he hopes to have him back for the weekend and expects him to “be involved.”
Victor Ulloa, Kieran Gibbs and Joevin Jones, all of whom had been battling injuries, were at practice Tuesday. George Acosta had minor knee surgery Monday and Edison Azcona is day-to-day.
Forward Leonardo Campana stepped up in Higuain’s absence, scored the first hat trick in club history and was named MLS Player of the Week. Neville heaped praise on the young Ecuadorean and suggested there is true competition for the starting job.
“He played a lot freer without Gonzalo in the team because he was the man, sometimes center forwards need to be that person everyone looks to and relies on for goals,” Neville said. “What we saw Saturday was somebody willing to take on that mantle of being the main guy, the main No. 9 on the team. With four goals already this season, he’s someone that’s going to be really exciting.
“He’s got everything you’d want in a good old-fashioned center forward you see in England. Size, stature, physique, the ability to dominate center backs. He’s still getting adjusted to the league and I think there’s another 15 to 20 percent still to come. His finishing is as good as it comes.”
Asked, going forward, how he will decide who starts among Higuain and Campana, Neville said: “The best team to win the game plays. What we saw on Saturday was 11 players plus the three subs all headed in the same direction, working hard, staying together, sticking to the game plan. And that’s going to be the order of the day from now until the end of the season. We’ve found a formula now that is non-negotiable.”