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

This morning, Inter Miami CF proudly held its first-ever historic Special Olympics Unified home match at Chase Stadium.

By Gian Pablo Polito

Jul 20, 2024 10:52 PM

Today, Inter Miami CF proudly hosted its historic inaugural Special Olympics Unified home match at Chase Stadium. The 2024 Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team hosted Chicago Fire’s Special Olympics Unified Team for a thrilling 2-2 draw. The event embodied Inter Miami CF’s motto, Freedom to Dream, by providing an opportunity to embrace inclusivity and diversity through the beautiful game and its power to unite 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.

Before the game kicked off Inter Miami’s Goalkeeper coach Sebastian Saja led our Special Olympic Unified Team goalkeepers in a 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 player informed me that he was reminded of my games when I played. It touched me deeply and, obviously it made me feel very proud.”

Supporting the team of our Special Olympics Unified Team were the family members of players as well as La Familia fans who created a spirited environment, which was accompanied by amazing futbol, games, and lasting memories for our athletes. A member of the team we call our players, Julian Gressel, also was a part of the team by working alongside the coaches at the sidelines to encourage our team.

The team was made up from goalkeepers Patrick Hicks and Ivan Cadavid The field players included 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 led the team.

The game began with a clean shot by the captain of Inter Miami Daniel Alonso in the second minute, giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead. After joining the team in 2021, Alonso played in his final game for the team in order to begin his college career in the coming semester. The game continued to play with the advantage of Inter Miami when Peter Reece struck the crossbar with a strong shot. Both teams exchanged possession in the opening half, but Chicago could increase 2 to 1 by the beginning of the second half.

In the second half, Reece was rewarded for his previous effort with a goal to make the score at 2-2, just a few minutes before the end of the game. In addition to being a founding participant in the team the number 5 also holds the Deadlift State Record showing his ability in as well off of the pitch.

Our first ever Unified home match ended with Gressel handed out medals to our players which was a memorable and joyful touch to the occasion.

Today’s historic game, Inter Miami CF concluded this year’s 2024 program for their Special Olympics Unified Team presented by Florida Blue.