MLS NEXT Pro Inter Miami CF II

Inter Miami CF II Falls against Columbus Crew 2

Published on September 3, 2023 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Inter Miami CF II News Release


Inter Miami CF II suffered a 0-5 loss against Columbus Crew 2 at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The match saw Academy player and defender Santiago Garica make his professional debut as part of today's starting lineup.

The Herons' starting XI for the match featured Owen Finnerty in goal; Nyk Sessock, Farid Sar-Sar, Garica, and Samuel Basabe in the backline; captain Lawson Sunderland managing the midfield with Ricardo Montenegro and Santiago Morales; and Alejandro Flores and Felipe Valencia on the wings with Bryan Destin leading the attack.

It was the visiting team that struck early on in the match, opening the scoring sheet in the 2nd minute through a header by forward Gibran Rayo from a corner kick pass by midfielder Isaiah Parente. Miami, however, would keep the pressure high on offense with an equalizing opportunity from Sunderland in the 10th minute, that saw his left-footed shot miss just high. On the defensive end, Finnerty would go on to have two outstanding saves; especially a sensational save on an upper 90 shot from forward Mataeo Bundury.

Despite the strong efforts on both ends, Columbus would strike again with another Rayo goal in the 15th minute, this time with a low driven right-footed shot towards the back of the end. Columbus would then extend its lead late in the 38th minute with Rayo scoring his and the team's third goal of the day, coming off a cross from forward Jordan Knight. The 0-3 scoreline held until the end of the first half.

Coming into the second half, Columbus would go up another goal in the 60th minute after Bunbury put the team's fourth in the back of the net. However, the match would then eventually get evenly matched as Miami seemed close to shorten its disadvantage with two scoring opportunities from Sunderland and second half substitute Cameron Johnson, in particular with a right-footed shot towards the upper right corner. Columbus would then end the day with its fifth goal of the match with a right-footed shot towards the bottom right corner from forward Noah Fuson, coming off a pass from defender Abdi Mohamed in the 92nd minute.

Up next the boys will continue its homestand next Sunday, August 10 as they'll host FC Cincinnati 2 at 6 p.m. ET at DRV PNK Stadium.

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