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MLS Inter Miami CF

Days to Debut: Lee Nguyen and Román Torres Ready Ready for An Exciting MLS Debut

February 27, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


On Wednesday morning, midfielder Lee Nguyen and defender Román Torres addressed the media present at the Inter Miami CF Training Complex before the beginning of the team's training session. The players discussed the Club's MLS debut in a few days, the team's preseason preparations and their prior experience facing LAFC, or in Nguyen's case, playing for LAFC.

Lee Nguyen, who was selected by Inter Miami in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft after two years playing for LAFC, will be returning to his previous home. The 33-year-old admitted that he will have mixed feelings, but that he's fully focused and ready for the Club's first-ever MLS season.

"It'll be emotional for sure. I was there for two seasons and it was a big part of my career," said Nguyen. "I enjoyed my time there, so it'll be great to be back."

"We're excited. This was a long preseason for us and I think that we're all excited to be done with preseason and are ready to finally get things started," he added.

Meanwhile, Román Torres, who spent five years with the Seattle Sounders between 2015 and 2019 winning the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019, highlighted the unity within the group, the team's preparation in preseason and the quality of the young members of the squad.

"In the short time that we've been working together we've become a family, we're a very united group," affirmed Torres. "In the locker rooms, on the bus we always have music, we're always dancing, and that's part of this great family and the union that we have as a group."

"Also, in the short time that we've worked with the coach, we've understood his philosophy, which is important so that we can adapt to the style of play he wants."

"The youngsters that are here are good. They like to win and they like to compete and that's important," he added.

Both players also discussed the tough match coming up this weekend when they face LAFC on their MLS debut on Sunday and that they are prepared for what lies ahead.

"It's going to be a tough task this weekend, but all the guys are preparing, the coach is preparing us well," stated Nguyen. "Diego [Alonso] and the staff have done a great job preparing us in the short amount of time they've been with us. The guys, we've trained a lot and we understand his system, so we're all ready. It's just little details now as we focus on our game against LAFC."

"It's important to stay focused. We have to be able to manage that anxiety prior to the game, of playing our first match, of going to Los Angeles. I think that it's going to be a good game. A game we have to go into being confident, fully focused and be very organized. LAFC is a team that likes to press and they have some very good players, but when their pressure breaks there are some spaces left. We have to take advantage of those spaces to score goals and in the backline, we'll focus on keeping a clean sheet," concluded Torres.

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