MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF II to Host Chicago Fire II for First Time this Season

Inter Miami CF II is back in action this week, hosting the Chicago Fire II for the first time in the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, July 2 at 7 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed live on mlsnextpro.com.

“These boys are committed every day. This is their profession, this is where they want to be, this is what they want to earn their living from: playing soccer. Sometimes it’s difficult, sometimes it’s challenging, but what you find from the coaching staff and from each of those players within our roster is, once we step on that grass we want to get better and they see it as an opportunity to improve themselves,” said head Coach Darren Powell about the squad’s mentality and drive as the season rolls on.

Inter Miami CF II is coming off of an emphatic 4-0 home win against FC Cincinnati 2 on June 19. Shaan Hundal opened the scoring with his second goal of the season, and Benjamin Cremaschi doubled the hosts’ lead soon after, putting away his second professional goal. Harvey Neville assisted both goals, earning his first two assists this season.

Inter Miami CF II kept the pressure on in the second half, with Israel Boatwright slotting in his first professional goal, in his first professional start, off of a low cross from Joevin Jones. Jones’ assists was his first this season for Inter Miami CF II.

Shanyder Borgelin made an appearance for the hosts in the second half, coming into the game to score a cheeky chipped goal for his fourth goal of the season. Borgelin’s goal was assisted by Modesto Mendez, who returned from being sidelined to earn his first assist of the season.

Chicago Fire II is currently in ninth place in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings, with 14 points in 13 games (3W-6L-4D). Chicago is coming off of a narrow 4-3 victory against New England Revolution II in a seven goal thriller. Alex Monis and Ryan Quintos both scored a goal each, and Victor Bezerra bagged a brace to secure the win for Chicago at SeatGeek Stadium.

Inter Miami II, meanwhile, is two places ahead in seventh place of the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings, with 16 points in 13 games (5W-7L-1D).**

Inter Miami CF II announced the acquisition of CJ dos Santos and Joevin Jones First Team players on loan, pending league and federation approval. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Inter Miami First Team retains the rights to recall all players at any point during the remainder of the MLS regular season, subject to MLS roster compliance and guidelines.