It was a chilly Thursday morning and the press once again gathered at the Inter Miami CF Training Complex as excitement continues to build up prior to the Club’s first-ever MLS game on Sunday afternoon playing away against LAFC. Head Coach Diego Alonso, midfielder WIl Trapp, and offensive midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro stood in front of the mic stand as they opened up to the press about their upcoming debut and how the squad is gearing up for the historical opening match against a tough opponent.

“We’ve had five excellent weeks of work. We’ve worked very well. What I’ve learned is that this is a very competitive group,” said Alonso. “We have to continue learning how to compete to be able to succeed this season.”

“We expect a great rival. We understand that it’s maybe one of the strongest teams in the league. We expect a team that will do their best and we are also going to do our best to show our best version. We trust our capacity as a staff, our player’s capacity and our style of play,” he added.

His midfielders showed their excitement as the kick-off of the historical match for Inter Miami looms closer, were delighted at the progress made by the team during preseason and seemed confident that the squad is ready for Sunday’s test.

“I’m very excited, eager to start and committed to doing great things and making history with the team. The team looks good. We’ve been making progress, getting better. We’re all committed to the team and are eager to continue working so that we can get the results we want,” expressed Pizarro.

“In preseason you’re always building a style of play, you’re always building a philosophy, you’re always building relationships within the group and I think we’ve done a good job at doing that,” stated Trapp. “LAFC is a very talented team, we know that. It’s the challenge you want as a competitor. I think for us it’s about not shying away from the big moments and being brave and taking the lessons we’ve learned in training every day. Which are intensity, competing and involving each other with the ball.”

Pizarro, who represents Mexico on the international stage, is also relishing the matchup against fellow Mexican and national team member Carlos Vela, who is LAFC’s star player.

“It’s nice to be able to face Mexican colleagues here. I hope that it’s a good match, attractive for all the viewers and I’m excited to go out and play to win,” he said.

One thing is certain, Inter Miami’s players and coaching staff aren’t the only ones eager for the Club’s MLS debut, as soccer fans all over South Florida are ready to cheer their hearts out when the team steps onto the pitch on Sunday. Head Coach Alonso expressed his gratitude towards the team’s loyal fans, who have been nothing but great, and is sure that their support will be key throughout the season.

“Exceptional, we’re delighted with what we’ve lived so far. We want to thank our fans for the support they give us every day, be it on social media or at the events where we get to spend time with them. We’re excited to play our first match at home, every match at home, because we are sure that the atmosphere and the support will be spectacular,” said the Uruguayan coach.