Inter Miami dealt injury blow: Leo Campana, Gonzalo Higuain exit vs. San Jose

The strikers have been instrumental to Miami’s progress in 2022, combining to score 15 of the Herons’ 27 goals (55.5%) and assist on three more. Both have won MLS Player of the Week presented by Continental Tire honors this year, too, with Campana taking home Week 6 honors and Higuain doing the same in Week 23.

Further, much of their season’s first half was defined by Neville’s decision to prefer Campana in the No. 9 role over Higuain. The coaching move, on paper, translated into opting for a U22 Initiative player who’s on loan from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers over a Designated Player who’s played for storied clubs like Real Madrid, Juventus and more.

Miami will have options, but replacing their production won’t be easy – should the expected absences linger.

“With our two center forwards off the pitch, we played [Alejandro] Pozuelo in the false 9, which I thought he played really well,” Neville said of their adjustment at San Jose. “So we’re just going to have to take it day-to-day with Gonzalo.”

IMCF have 11 regular-season games remaining, and they’ll enter Montréal as the hosts climbed to third place in the East during Week 24’s early portion, earning a 2-1 comeback win at Columbus Crew. Neville knows a massive task awaits, and depth will be tested at Stade Saputo with points at a premium.

“We’re going to need all our squad on Saturday against Montréal,” Neville said, with Campana coming off right MCL troubles. “We’re going to the other end of the [conitnent] again to play … and we’ve just got to get on with it and be ready for what is going to be a real big game against what I feel is one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.”