It was a Leonardo Campana masterclass in Fort Lauderdale as the Ecuadorian International netted his first professional hat-trick to help Inter Miami earn their first victory of season over the New England Revolution.
The Revolution were fast out the gate with a swift team move down the right side of the attack finished with DeJuan Jones move down the right wing to Justin Rennicks in front of goal, whose strike found the back of the net to make it 0-1 in the 11th minute. The Goal being Justin Rennicks first of his young MLS career.
Just six minutes later it would be Inter Miami who worked it down the right side this time, it would be Ariel Lassiter who would provide the assist after cutting in past his defender and floating up the perfect cross for Campana to head home, making it 1-1 in only the 16th minute. The goal being only the second open play goal scored by Inter Miami all season, all of which have been scored by Campana.
Then in the 23rd minute, it was a perfectly orchestrated counterattack that gave Robbie Robinson the chance to find Campana left alone at the back post with a low driven cross found the feet of Campana who left nothing to chance and rocketed the ball into the top of net. The goal would give Inter Miami the 2-1 lead through to the end of the first half.
A second half saw almost no scoring threat from New England until the youngster Rennicks appeared to be in behind the Miami defense until Miami defender Damian Lowe took him down with a physical challenge in the box which saw the referee point to the spot. Through six games, this is already Damien Lowe’s second penalty given up through rash challenges. After VAR took a look at the challenge the decision was upheld and up stood the 2021 MLS MVP Carles Gil, who made no mistakes and sent keeper Nick Marsman the wrong way to level the game at 2-2 in the 67th minute.
Both teams would have chances to have the game winner over the last 20 minutes, but it would be Inter Miami who would find the breakthrough goal. It would come in the 88th minute as substitute Bryce Duke would dribble past three Revolution defenders and fire a pass across the face goal, which forces Revolution keeper Brad Knighton try to collect the ball. A decison that would cost them the game as he would fumble to ball right into the path of Campana who toe poked it into the back of the net. A goal that would lead to a lot of firsts for Inter Miami, it led to the team’s first win of the season, Campana’s first hat trick and Inter Miami’s first ever club hat trick.
With this win Inter Miami seem to finally have their season back on track after a very rough start. The win does not move them up in Eastern Conference standings, a fact they will looking to change with a trip up to Seattle next week as they will play the Sounders on April 16th at 10:00pm est.
The Revolution came into this season with high hopes of making another deep run into the playoffs under prestigious coach Bruce Arena. A mark they look far off of right now. They will look to kick start their season next week as they will host Charlotte FC on Saturday, April 16th at 7:30pm.
