Inter Miami miffed by controversial penalty decision in loss to Philadelphia Union: "I am not too sure about that"
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — If you were questioning whether the penalty kick that Inter Miami gave up on Wednesday was legitimate, you are not alone.
Inter Miami did not make a huge deal post-game about the decision that helped pace the Philadelphia Union to a 2-1 win at Drv Pnk Stadium, but the South Florida side was nonetheless miffed by the controversial call that led to the game’s 26th-minute opener from the spot.
From head coach Phil Neville to DeAndre Yedlin and more, Inter Miami expressed doubts over whether referee Marcos de Oliveira made the right decision in awarding the Union a penalty after Aime Mabika made contact with Mikael Uhre near the right corner of the 18-yard box.
“I definitely need to watch it [back to see] whether it was enough to be deemed a penalty,” Mabika told Miami Total Futbol. “I do not know. I am not too sure about that, but it was called and we went down a goal. Obviously I am disappointed in myself for that, but just have to move on.”
Neville’s remarks were a bit more pointed.
“Maybe we could have had a penalty, but we were never going to get anything from this referee,” said Neville before surveying the room during his post-game press conference. “I did not actually think [the one called against us] was a penalty. Did anyone else think it was a penalty? No. No.”
Right back DeAndre Yedlin was also not thrilled with the decision.
“I thought there were some interesting calls,” said Yedlin when asked about the penalty kick, “but that is how it is I guess.”
Regardless of if there was enough contact from Mabika’s stretched out leg on the polemic play, the Herons made it clear that they were not sharp enough in the final third.
Inter Miami’s lone goal came from substitute Gonzalo Higuain on a solo effort from distance, a sensational strike which prevented the team from being held without a goal for the eighth time this MLS season.
“I think this team is crying out for goals,” said Neville.
The good news for Inter Miami is that it will not have to wait long to try and bounce back. A home game against another Eastern Conference team in expansion side Charlotte FC awaits on Saturday, and that will provide an opportunity to forget about both the disappointing midweek result and questionable penalty that contributed to it.
“It is just try to put it behind me and the team put this game behind us,” Mabika told Miami Total Futbol. “Move on to Charlotte because that will come quickly.”
Very tough Game, the team really left much to be desired in their finishing, especially from shots outside the 18, Higuain scored a golaso. However no other player could get their long distance shots on frame. They have to do better!