UM basketball teams to be honored at Inter Miami game vs Dallas Saturday, Campana back

Inter Miami, in need of a win after a four-game slump, returns to DRV PNK Stadium to play FC Dallas Saturday night. The team would welcome some good luck from the University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams, who are attending the game and whose historic March Madness runs will be celebrated with a halftime ceremony.

As part of the festivities, Hurricanes fans will receive a 10 percent discount on tickets to the match using the promo code UMBB while supplies last. Get tickets at this link.

Both teams are coming off program-best finishes in the NCAA Tournament, with the men’s team reaching its first Final Four and the women’s team making its first Elite Eight. The men’s team also finished with its highest ranking in program history, closing the year at No. 3 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Inter Miami also invited the Florida Atlantic University’s men’s basketball team, which reached its first Final Four, but the Owls were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. They will be honored at a later date.

Inter Miami started the season strong with a pair of 2-0 victories, but has lost the next four games. The team should get a major boost with the return of Ecuadorean forward Leo Campana, who injured his calf just before the season opener and has yet to play a game. The team’s offense was built around a two-forward attack with Campana and Venezuelan forward Josef Martinez, the former MLS MVP, who joined the team in January. Martinez has yet to score a goal in a Miami jersey.

“Leo’s back, whether he starts or comes on is yet to be determined,” said Inter Miami coach Phil Neville. “We know what a big player he is for us. We need goals now. I think Josef needs somebody up there with him. The team was set up to play with two forwards, so Saturday we’ll see two forwards.”

Another forward who could make an impact is Fort Lauderdale native Shanyder Borgelin, who scored in the season opener. The 21-year-old Haitian American is 6-5 and handful for defenders.

“We’re really pleased with Shanyder,” Neville said. “He made a difference against Cincinnati. We need someone with physicality who can take the pressure off.”

With captain Gregore out at least six months with a leg injury, Bryce Duke is being asked to shift to a more defensive role in the midfield alongside Jean Mota.

“We’re asking Bryce to do a real disciplined job next to Mota, and we feel as if eventually that will be his best position with his range of passing and ability on the ball,” Neville said.

One new player who has made his mark is Argentine left back Franco Negri, who likes to push forward into the attack every chance he gets. He scored against Chicago and hit the crossbar against Cincinnati.

“He’s a battering ram at times, the way he charges forward,” Neville said. “We were looking for balance on the left hand side, someone who could equal DeAndre Yedlin’s athleticism on the right hand side, and we got that. He’s been brilliant addition, for nothing. He was a brilliant find from our recruitment team. He’s popular in the dressing room, is learning English, his girlfriend has arrived, so he is happy.”

Neville stressed how vital it is for the team to win against Dallas at home, where Miami has had near-sellout crowds this season.

“We know the importance of the game on Saturday after the run we’ve been on,” Neville said. “We can’t hide away from the fact that four defeats is not acceptable.”

He added that he was pleased with the team’s performance on the road against first-place Cincinnati, but they came away with a 1-0 loss.

Krystsov hosts Ukrainian refugees

Inter Miami center back Serhiy Krystsov, a native of Ukraine, invited 40 members of the Ukrainian community to DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday for the match against FC Dallas. The group includes approximately 20 children refugees living in Miami, who will be on the field pregame to hold the game flags during the national anthem. They also will have a meet and greet with Kryvtsov, who is the only active Ukrainian player in MLS.

This player-led initiative also includes a fundraising for humanitarian programs supporting Ukrainian refugees in Florida. For each ticket purchased through this link, 15 percent of the proceeds will be donated to humanitarian programs supporting Ukrainian refugees in Florida. This offer has been created with Ukraine Miami & Florida For Ukraine.

Also Saturday, Inter Miami will honor Autism Awareness Month by hosting 15 young athletes from Autism Soccer to do a skills showcase and practice ahead of the first FC Dallas game.

UM Football Spring Game

Next weekend, DRV PNK Stadium will host the UM football team for its 2023 Spring Game, the second consecutive season that the venue hosts the event. Free tickets are available here.