Advertisement

Gonzalo Higuain makes his debut, but Inter Miami still falls against Philadelphia Union

Star forward Gonzalo Higuain’s Inter Miami debut did not go as he had hoped — including a missed penalty shot.

Higuain, who helped Argentina reach the 2014 World Cup final, had a couple of near misses early in the rain on Sunday night against the host Philadelphia Union.

Ultimately, though, the Union prevailed 3-0 on goals by Anthony Fontana; Ilsinho, a Brazilian who goes by one name; and Brenden Aaronson.

“Philadelphia was more clinical than us,” Inter Miami winger Lewis Morgan said following the game. “Our guys are a bit despondent, which is natural, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to continue working through it.”

Higuain’s missed PK came in the 77th minute. He shot to his right, but the ball sailed over the crossbar. After his missed, he charged at several Union players who appeared to taunt the 32-year-old star.

Inter Miami (3-9-2, wins, losses, draws) entered the night ranked 13th out of 14 teams in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia (8-2-4) is unbeaten in five consecutive matches. The Union also beat Inter Miami 2-1 on July 14 in the MLS is Back tournament.

Two of Philadelphia’s goals came from young American players — Fontana, 20, and Aaronson, 19.

Andre Blake, who is from Jamaica, had the shutout; and German national Kacper Przybylko provided assists on the first two goals.

Fontana’s goal with 24:15 elapsed was the main highlight of the first half, giving Philadelphia a 1-0 lead at the break.

Otherwise, Inter Miami had 52 percent of the first-half possession, putting up eight shots, although only one on goal. Philadelphia had four shots, putting two on goal.

Inter Miami goalie and captain Luis Robles — who slipped in the rain and fell on his backside on his first goal kick of the game — stopped a pair of dangerous Philadelphia chances in the opening half, one each by Sergio Santos and Jamiro Monteiro.

Higuain, meanwhile, dazzled early. His first shot was a missile with his left foot, and it barely went over the crossbar at the 12-minute mark. Seven minutes later, Higuain threatened again, but his bicycle kick went off the left post, robbing him of a would-be spectacular goal with his back to the net.

Fontana’s goal came after an Inter Miami turnover, a sequence that started with Jorge Figal’s throw-in to Victor Ulloa. From there, Ulloa’s pass to Rodolfo Pizarro was stolen by the Union, and Kacper Przybylko passed to the right to Fontana, whose blast from the back of the box found a home in the right corner of the net.

Inter Miami got more dangerous in the second half, especially Ben Sweat, whose shot in the 62nd minute seemed ticketed for the tying goal until Blake dove to his left for a sensational save.

Higuain’s PK was another opportunity for Inter Miami, but he couldn’t find the range at Subaru Park.

Aaronson’s goal came in the sixth minute of stoppage time, ending any hopes of an Inter Miami miracle.