Higuain produces match-winning performance for the Herons

By Official Florida FC

Saturday night, Inter Miami managed something no other Major League Soccer accomplished in 2020: It won at Subaru Park

The Herons came from behind to beat the 2020 Supporters’ Shield winners 2-1. The Higuain brothers scored within 10 minutes of each other to cancel out Jamiro Monteiro’s 54th minute opener.

Gonzalo Higuain scored for the second time in as many matches this season to equalize in the 73rd. His brother Federico provided the service on a set piece from the right. Later, Federico scored a header of his own following a patient delivery from Nico Figal on the right.

Federico did not start the match, but he has proven to be an invaluable super sub in his later years for Inter Miami and D.C. United. Only five of his last 22 MLS appearances over the last two calendar years have been starts, but he has been one of the first that first-year Inter Miami coach Phil Neville has called upon when he needs a spark.

“I think he deserves to be talked about in his own right,” Neville told reporters afterward. “I think the key when for Fede comes on in games — the game is more open, more stretched — to use his experience, find the right spaces. … We’ve got someone to come on who can keep us going, keep the ball, keep possession, but more importantly have a massive impact on the game.”

Indeed he has. Monday, Higuain was named to the MLS Team of the Week. Figal joined him in the team, marking the first time Inter Miami placed two in the week’s best XI.

Inter Miami only won twice last year when conceding the first goal. Saturday night, the Herons not only overcame a deficit, they did so on a pitch where the Union were 9-0-0 last season.

Miami (1-1-0, 3 points) will travel to Tennessee on May 2 to play a Nashville SC squad that has only two points from home matches against Cincinnati and Montreal.