September 10, (THEWILL) – Inter Miami CF earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday afternoon, a result that showed that David Beckham’s expansion club can compete without superstar Lionel Messi, who is on international duty.
Kansas City started the brighter of the two sides, taking an early lead through Dániel Sallói’s scrappy finish. However, a rash challenge by SKC goalkeeper, Tim Melia, on Leonardo Campana saw the Ecuadorian step up to score the resulting penalty and pull Inter Miami level. The momentum swung Miami’s way and Campana powered home a magnificent header just before halftime to give the hosts the advantage.
The second half continued in that fashion, with Sergio Busquets playing a pinpoint set-piece into the path of Facundo Farias, who finished neatly to extend Miami’s lead. Sporting hit back with 12 minutes left through Alan Pulido’s controlled strike but it was too little too late for the visiting Kansas City side.
Both clubs had their chances but it was the clinical finishing of Campana and clever assist from Barcelona legend Busquets that made the difference for Miami. The result showed Inter Miami have become a more capable side since big-name signings like Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba joined, earning victories that were not easy to come by previously.
Sporting Kansas can be proud of their performance but it is Inter Miami who take the points and create a gap away from the relegation zone. Their improving young squad proved too tough a test for the reigning Western Conference champions on this occasion.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
