Inter Miami is preparing for its first meeting with fellow expansion side Nashville SC on Sunday evening.
The Herons claimed their first-ever MLS win last week, defeating state rivals Orlando City after losing their first five games.
And on Sunday night they head to the Music City to take on a Nashville side, who sit just one position and one point ahead of them in the Eastern Conference.
Thanks to last week’s win, Inter take confidence into Sunday’s clash with Nashville, but head coach Diego Alonso believes much of the confidence comes from the practice field.
“The team had been looking for the win for a while and never stopped fighting to earn it,” he said earlier this week.
Photo: Inter Miami
“It’ll undoubtedly serve our confidence well, but confidence is also built through hard work, day by day.
“Confidence isn’t built through results, it’s built by believing in an idea and defending that idea. I think the players have done that at all times and the confidence in our idea has been there, the confidence in the way we want to play and in what we believe we can achieve too.
“So, I think the win reassures us, but we have to continue moving forward,”
“We have the opportunity to play at home again against a great team coming off of a match in which they played really well.
“We know that it will be difficult but we’re confident in our abilities.”
The game is Miami’s first since Wednesday night’s game with Atlanta United was postponed with players boycotting as a statement against social injustice.
Inter Miami has confirmed Sunday night’s game will go ahead after liaising with players.
The statement read: “Inter Miami will play its next match Sunday, Aug. 30, at 8:30 p.m. ET when it travels to face Nashville SC.”
The MLS statement added: “On Wednesday, Aug. 26, Major League Soccer players stood in solidarity with athletes across North America, as MLS matches were postponed in recognition of the struggle for racial equality and human rights. The league, its clubs, owners and staff supported this effort and the goal of bringing recognition to these important issues.
“Following a period of reflection and conversation with the Black Players for Change (BPC), the league’s players, and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), matches will resume beginning tonight with the Montreal Impact hosting Toronto FC.
“The Black Players for Change are scheduled to meet with MLS owners, as the players and the league continue working together to create long-term change both inside and outside of MLS.”
