Inter Miami vs Vasco da Gama game Saturday extra special for Phil Neville. This is why
When Inter Miami coach Phil Neville heard his team was playing Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in a preseason game Saturday night at DRV PNK Stadium, he immediately sent the announcement to his brother, Gary, with a note that read: “I’m glad you’re not playing in this game.”
The Neville brothers have vivid memories of playing against Vasco da Gama on Jan. 8, 2000, at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in front of 75,000 fans. They were Manchester United teammates facing the Brazilians in the FIFA Club World Cup, and they lost 3-1.
Brazilian legend Romario scored a pair of goals for Vasco two minutes apart and Edmundo scored the third. Gary Neville, a defender, was involved in both of Romario’s goals. A recap in The Guardian read: “(Gary) Neville’s two specials will grace many a sporting blooper video come Christmas.”
Phil Neville was a midfielder in that game. Inter Miami owner David Beckham was on the bench, serving a suspension for a violent kick in the previous game.
“I’ve got the most incredible memories from that game,” Neville said. “I got married four days before that. The day after the wedding, I flew to Brazil. The Maracana is one of the most famous stadiums in the world and when the fans jump up and down, the stadium shakes. That was a great experience.
“But my brother had probably one of his poorest ever games for Manchester United. I think he gave away all three goals. We call it Fiasco da Gama because it was such a fiasco for my brother.”
He is hoping for a happier outcome on Saturday.
“I love Brazilian football, and I love Brazilian culture,” Neville said. “We’ll be playing a team that plays the Brazilian way. They’re brave. They attack. They have good forward players who play free. I’m looking forward to it.”
Inter Miami has been in camp for two weeks and Neville said players are eager to play their first game in front of fans. The team will introduce new Venezuelan forward Josef “El Rey” Martinez to the fans in a halftime ceremony.
Neville said all the healthy players will get minutes, including Leo Campana, Robbie Robinson and Coco Jean, who are coming off injuries, and midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro, who rejoined the team after a season-long loan to Mexican club Monterrey.
The club announced Friday that Campana’s transfer from English club Wolves was final. He is signed through 2025 with an option for 2026 and will be classified as Young Designated Player. Campana scored 11 goals last season and is eager to pair with Martinez up top this year.
“This game has come at just the right time,” Neville said. “There’s only a certain amount of training you can do before the players say, `We need games. We need to feel the back of the net. We want to see our supporters and feel that tension.’’’
Jean Mota, Bryce Duke, and Ryan Sailor are injured and not expected to play.
Vasco is coming off a 3-0 loss to Argentine club River Plate in a friendly in Orlando. Vasco coach Mauricio Barbieri said there would be changes in the lineup. The projected lineup is: Ivan, Puma, Miranda, Leo, Piton, Jair, Figueredo, Nene, Orellano, Pedro Raul, and Pec.