Inter Miami’s Leo Campana on Ecuador roster vs. Cape Verde Saturday in Fort Lauderdale
Inter Miami fans don’t have to wait until after the FIFA international break to see Leo Campana play at DRV PNK Stadium. The Ecuadorean forward will be with his national team for a friendly against Cape Verde Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at his club’s home field in Fort Lauderdale.
He will be wearing yellow instead of pink, but his objective remains the same: score goals to impress coach Gustavo Alfaro and earn a spot on the World Cup team headed to Qatar this winter.
“La Tri” is coming off a 0-0 tie against Mexico at Soldier Field on Monday and a 1-0 win over Nigeria at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on June 3. Ecuador finished fourth in South American World Cup qualifying behind Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Campana, who leads Inter Miami with seven MLS goals and eight including U.S. Open Cup, started and played 60 minutes against Nigeria. He did not play against Mexico but is expected to get minutes on Saturday. He had not been called up for national team duty in 10 months, but his success with Inter Miami raised his stock.
“It’s a pleasure and honor to represent your national team. I’ve worked really hard to be called up, so I’m really happy,” Campana said.
Alfaro was in Fort Lauderdale last month, watched Campana train, and met with Inter Miami coach Phil Neville and sporting director Chris Henderson.
“[Alfaro] loves the kid, when you meet Leo you fall in love with him because his personality, his nature, he’s the politest most humble boy,” Inter Miami coach Phil Neville said. “He’s obviously been brought up the right way and he’s scoring goals. He’s highly thought of and there’s so much growth left in him.”
Campana, 21, was struggling to break into the lineup with Wolves of the Premier League and had been loaned to Swiss team Grasshopper. He is on loan with Miami from Wolves and so far the move has paid off.
Cape Verde, in the midst of Africa Cup of Nations qualification, is coming off a 2-0 victory over Togo on Tuesday. Julio Tavares and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jamiro Monteiro scored. The team is coached by former Cape Verde player Bubista.
Cape Verde has won four of its last five games across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and and recording four shutouts since their round-of-16 exit from the Africa Cup of Nations against eventual winners Senegal in January.
Tickets for Saturday’s match are available through TicketMaster.