Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC | 2020 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 15
Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC
Inter Miami CF Stadium – Fort Lauderdale
October 3 – 8:00 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: CBS4 (Miami) , YES

Gonzalo Higuain will make his home debut as Inter Miami CF look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they meet NYCFC Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale.

Inter Miami CF (3W-9L-2D) are coming off a 3-0 defeat at Philadelphia on Higuain's MLS debut, while NYCFC (6W-6L-2D) rebounded from a tough midweek defeat to Toronto FC by thrashing FC Cincinnati 4-0 Saturday at Red Bull Arena.

NYCFC won the only other meeting between the teams with Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scoring the 64th-minute winner at the MLS is Back Tournament, Ronny Deila's first win as Cityzens coach.

Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami welcomed their big star to MLS, but Higuain couldn't lead the expansion side past surging Philadelphia as the Union enjoyed a 3-0 home victory Sunday night. The Argentine striker tried to score his first MLS goal via bicycle kick midway through the first half, though the shot just clipped the post as it went wide of goal. The former Juventus star then scuffed a penalty kick over the crossbar in the second half and was surrounded by Union players and a brief fracas ensued.

“I felt it was a lack of respect and I reacted," Higuain told media on a virtual press conference on Thursday in Spanish. "I believe in fair play. I’m an emotional person, and couldn’t accept or tolerate it. Five players were on me, that is provocation.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: George Acosta (M) - left knee injury
- OUT: David Norman Jr (M) - left ankle injury
- OUT: Denso Ulysse (D) - left lower leg injury
- OUT: Juan Agudelo (F) - lower leg injury
- OUT: Andrés Reyes (D) - lower leg injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Nicolas Figal (D), Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (D)
International duty: None

New York City FC

A day after announcing Brazilian forward Heber was lost for the season due to an ACL injury, NYCFC picked up its most complete victory of the season, defeating FC Cincinnati 4-0 at Red Bull Arena. In his new role as the No. 10, filling in for the injured Maxi Moralez, Alexandru Mirtira struck for a brace, including the opening goal less than a minute into the game to set the tone.

"I think it speaks for itself that they played well," Deila said after the match. "Mitrita played really well in the No. 10 role. [Tajouri-Shradi] worked good and was involved on the front end on the right side. We were more effective tonight than we have been in the other games. When you score early, it is easier to get more goals. The whole team performance was really good. We didn’t give them anything, keep on holding clean sheets, and then when we start scoring as well then that’s another step in the right direction."

With the New York Yankees advancing to the American League Divisional Series, which will be played next week at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif, NYCFC are moving back to Yankee Stadium for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs, the club announced Friday.

“I would like to thank the New York Red Bulls and their match-day staff for all their help and support over the last five weeks,” club CEO Brad Sims said in a statement. “While we are rivals on the pitch, we greatly appreciate their continued collaboration during these unprecedented circumstances and as we both work to grow soccer in this area.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Maxi Moralez (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Tayvon Gray (D) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Heber (F) - ACL injury
Suspended: Alexander Callens (D)
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None