MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team Came Away With a Thrilling 2-2 Draw in Historic Inaugural Home Match at Chase Stadium

Today, Inter Miami CF proudly hosted its first ever significant Special Olympics Unified home match at Chase Stadium.

By Gian Pablo Polito

Jul 20, 2024 10:52 PM

HTML0 This morning, Inter Miami CF proudly hosted its historic first Special Olympics Unified home match at Chase Stadium. It was 2024. Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team took on the Chicago Fire’s Special Olympics Unified Team for an exciting 2-2 draw. The game embodied Inter Miami CF’s mission statement”Freedom to Dream” by giving the opportunity to celebrate inclusion and diversity through the game of a lifetime and its ability to bring together communities.

“We have a strong commitment to ensuring accessibility and participation to all from all kinds of backgrounds to the wonderful game of futbol, therefore we formed a partnership to join forces with Special Olympics four years ago. Today, we’re thrilled to mark a significant day when we watch our Inter Miami Special Olympics Unified Team plays Home for the very first time and to do it in Chase Stadium is incredible,” said Chris Allan, Inter Miami CF Vice President of Fan Strategy & Experience.

The day before the event started, Inter Miami’s Goalkeeper Coach Sebastian Saja led our Special Olympic Unified Team goalkeepers during the warm-up.

“For me, it’s been a wonderful experience. I was extremely happy to be asked to help with the warm-up for the Special Olympics Unified Team goalkeepers. I’m happy for them that Inter Miami CF organizes these kinds of events.” Saja said. Saja. “One person told me that he had been struck by my game when I played. It was a very touching experience for me and obviously was a huge source of pride for me. “

The team that was supporting the Special Olympics Unified Team were the families of players and members of the family fans who contributed to an energetic atmosphere and were accompanied by incredible games, futbol and memories that will last forever to our participants. A member of the team we refer to as”our players,” Julian Gressel, also was a part of our team, working with the coaches on the sidelines to help players.

The team was comprised of goalkeepers Patrick Hicks and Ivan Cadavid The field players comprised Eduardo Marquez, Alan Garcia, Alain Figueroa, Peter Reece, Yoseline Mendoza, Andres Baptiste, Kenny Gould-Papili, Sky Carrizo, Darian Sierra, Gabriel Carrizo, Daniel Alonso (C), Julissa Vargas, Nico Hernandez Vidal and Andre Guevara were the players who commanded the team.

The game started with a straight shot from Inter Miami’s captain Inter Miami Daniel Alonso in the second half, granting Inter Miami a 1-0 lead. After joining Inter Miami in 2021, Alonso was in his final game with the team, in order to start his college career during the upcoming term. The game went on in the favor that was Inter Miami when Peter Reece hit the crossbar with his solid attack. Both teams traded possession during the first half however Chicago might increase its lead to 2:1 at the start of the second.

The second period, Reece was rewarded for his previous efforts by scoring a goal that put the score 2-2 just a few minutes prior to the final whistle. In addition to being a founder participant of the team, the number 5 is also the holder of the Deadlift State Record showing his abilities on and on the field.

Our first Unified home match concluded with Gressel presenting medals to our players. It was a special and joyous addition to the celebration.

The historic game of today, Inter Miami CF concluded the 2024 season in the Special Olympics Unified Team presented by Florida Blue.