Leo Campana to return from injury for Inter Miami home game vs. Columbus on Tuesday
Desperate for a home win after a three-game losing streak on the road, Inter Miami will get a boost against the Columbus Crew Tuesday night as forward Leo Campana returns from a long injury layoff.
Campana led the team with eight goals and was vying for a spot on Ecuador’s World Cup team when he went down with a thigh injury in the first half of the road game Aug. 3 against San Jose. He also missed a few games in late July with another injury. Gonzalo Higuain stepped up in Campana’s absence, reclaimed the starting job at center forward and now leads the team with 10 goals and three assists.
Higuain scored Miami’s only two goals in the recent three road losses, both off set pieces — a free kick in a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls and a penalty kick in a 3-1 loss to Chicago. The addition of Campana will give Miami more options in the attack.
“It’s big for us to have Leo back,” Neville said. “Gonzalo’s been going up there alone, one his own, for the last five weeks. He’s carried the weight of the team, scored goals, been in great form and led the team incredibly well but there comes time when you have three games in a week and you need help, whether that’s coming onto the pitch or starting alongside someone. We know how big a player Campana is for us. He is ready to start, ready to play and we’ll see that [Tuesday] night.”
Neville and his players are eager to return home for the first time in 24 days. The team has had great success at DRV PNK Stadium this season.
Winger Coco Jean will miss the game with a knee injury. Center back Damion Lowe, who sat out the Chicago game with a knee injury, is doubtful for Tuesday. Lowe wants to play, so Neville said the staff will evaluate him on Tuesday morning, but they are not counting on his return.
Inter Miami is in a tight race for one of the final Eastern Conference playoff spots and running out of time. With five games remaining, Miami sits in ninth place, two spots and five points behind the Crew for the final playoff berth.
Miami lost 1-0 at Columbus on Aug. 31. Luis Diaz, who scored the lone goal in that game, will not play Tuesday (8 p.m., My33) as he is serving a red card suspension.
“We’re getting to that point in the season where we know exactly what we need to do, we still feel as if the situation is in our own hands,” Neville said after training on Monday. “We’re really, really disappointed in our performance at the weekend and feel we owe ourselves, and more importantly, our supporters a real performance at DRV PNK [Stadium]. Now the talking stops and we have to deliver.”
Neville expects a tactical game against the Crew.
“Last time it was cagey, a chess match, neither team went gung ho,” Neville said. “This time you have a team that has to go for it and a team that doesn’t have to win, but doesn’t want to lose. Different mindsets. A home that that can leave nothing on the pitch and an away team that a draw will help them.”
Neville, whose two-year contract expires at the end of this season, said ownership has been “incredibly supportive” of him and sporting director Chris Henderson in terms of finances, facilities and freedom to rebuild the roster, but co-owners David Beckham and Jorge and Jose Mas “expect certain things from us” and reaching the playoffs is a common goal.
“Players’ futures and contracts, staff contracts, manager’s contracts, we’re under no illusions about what’s at stake,” Neville said. “But there’s real calmness, everyone has trust and belief in each other. We have a long-term plan and vision. With that comes qualifying for the playoffs. I know I’m in a results business.”
NOTE: Inter Miami is hosting Kick Childhood Night presented by Baptist Health Cancer Care on Tuesday in an effort to increase awareness of pediatric cancers and raise funds for childhood cancer research. The event will include a commemorative ball, special warm up shirts, gold corner flags, and 10,000 yellow rally towels.