Match Preview: D.C. United at Inter Miami CF

After finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference last season, Inter Miami got off to a slow start in 2022. They’ve taken 10 points from their first 10 regular season matches this season, but during his pre-match press conference on Thursday, interim head coach Chad Ashton said this Miami team is different than the one he saw in 2021. 

“I think they’re a much better team than they were last year,” Ashton said. “They’re conceding a lot fewer chances this year than they were last year.” 

Mitigating transition moments and denying opportunities to Gonzalo Higuaín and Leonardo Campana, Inter Miami’s main striking options will be top of mind for the D.C. defense, who earned a clean sheet against Houston. 

Inter Miami are coming off a 1-0 loss to Charlotte last weekend and an Open Cup victory that head coach Phil Neville called “disappointing,” despite advancing 3-1 over USL League 1’s Tormenta FC. Inter Miami’s defense has struggled, conceding 19 goals in league play so far. But with the return of defenders Damian Lowe and Jairo Quinteros from suspension, the squad could see a boost come Saturday. 

“Going on the road, it’s going to be a tough game.” Ashton said. “Just like always, with every team in this league, it’s difficult to get a win on the road. But that’s certainly the goal this week is to go down there and get three points.”