With the return of their fanbase, Inter Miami CF hoped to get a win that would give them a better position in the Eastern Conference standings. However, D.C. United, their rival for Week 7, had an extraordinary game, and flattened their hopes of walking away with the three points.
The first ten minutes of the match were quite interesting, as opportunities came for both sides. In the 7th minute, a ball crossed to the far post found Ryan Shawcross free, but he was unable to make good contact with it, and his attempt went well over the crossbar.
A couple of minutes later, it was D.C. United with a good scoring chance after a ball was crossed into the box. Young Kevin Paredes found himself in a great position, but he couldn’t find the target with his left-footed strike.
Paredes continued to insinuate danger in the early stages of the match. In the 14th minute, he sent a very hard-to-defend cross towards the center of the penalty area, but Ola Kamara couldn’t get there in time to tap it in.
A few seconds later, Kamara would not waste another chance. After a recovery inside Inter’s box, the Norwegian striker sent it into the back of the net with a very well-placed strike that gave goalkeeper John McCarthy no chance.
US international Paul Arriola would double the lead in the 21st minute of the match. After receiving the ball from Paredes, he finished with a classy strike towards the far post. Effectiveness was the name of the game for D.C. United.
Inter Miami had a clear chance in the 35th minute when Louis Morgan sent a picture-perfect cross to find the head of Julián Carranza. The young Argentine looked for the far post with his header, but it was just inches away from going in.
The half would end with some scoring chances for both teams, but it was clear that D.C United was much more comfortable on the field.
For the second half, Inter came out with a bit more of an offensive stance and its first attempt was by Gonzalo Higuaín with a potent shot that went above the crossbar. The home team continued to apply pressure and forced a great save from Bill Hamid on the 64th minute of the match.
Despite the attempts by the Florida team to produce a goal, it was D.C United who seemed closer to scoring again. They had very wide spaces when attacking and were utilizing the speed and technique of their players when going forward. In the 70th minute, the away side sealed the deal when Paul Arriola sent a lovely cross to Kamara. An easy finish for him and it was lights out for Inter.
The Higuaín brothers produced one more chance before the end of the match when Federico sent a great through ball to Gonzalo, but the former Real Madrid striker was denied by Bill Hamid, sealing a disappointing loss for the pink side.
Inter Miami is now 11th in the Eastern Conference, while D.C. United surpassed them and now ranks 10th. These teams will meet again on the next match day, with that game taking place in the nation's capital.