Inter Miami boss Phil Neville has highlighted the growing “trust” between his players as the key to their latest turn in form.
The Herons have only lost one of their last seven games and taken 14 points during that time after only managing eight points from their initial 12.
Miami beat Toronto FC 3-1 in Florida on Saturday, giving them back-to-back wins for just the second time in the club’s history, while it’s the first time they have tasted victory with more than one goal.
As a result, they are now just five points behind the playoffs with games in hand on them above them. Speaking after the match, Neville credited his players for the trust they now have in each other.
“We are a different team than we were a month ago, two months ago,” he told reporters (via MLSsoccer.com). “We are a different team than what I saw on the first day of training. We are a team now that is starting to trust each other. It feels good. ”
Neville added: “The players now have a lot of self-confidence and faith and trust in each other and we have to keep going.
“It’s a gate, this league is a marathon and we dragged the first half of the marathon after everyone. Now we have given ourselves a chance by getting some victories and getting ourselves within reach of those above us. The players like that challenge. ”
One player full of confidence right now is Rodolfo Pizarro.
Mexico’s international, one of Inter Miami’s three named players, has scored three goals in his last two games after not finding the net at all this season before.
Less than 20 minutes after doubling his number for the night to give his side a 3-0 lead, Neville decided to withdraw Pizarro, giving him a well-deserved rest.
The best feeling. Big W @InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/64rWAq3uPG
– Rodolfo Pizarro (@Rpizarrot) August 22, 2021
It was a decision that clearly frustrated Pizarro, but it’s something Neville definitely sees as positive.
“I really loved his reaction to the anger to come off because we’ve seen many times this season when he’s disappointed when he came, when he’s disappointed in himself,” Neville replied when asked about Pizarro’s frustration. “Now he has that hunger and desire to want to stay on the field and score goals. He has regained his confidence, three goals on two goals says he is only getting better and better. ”
Miami is facing a Rivalry Week trip to Orlando City next time before traveling to FC Cincinnati in early September.
