HUNTSVILLE – It’s a quick turnaround for Huntsville City Football Club when they take on Inter Miami CF II Sunday.
The Boys in Blue are coming off Wednesday’s Space Cowboy Match with Nashville SC and are “excited” about meeting Miami for the third and final time this season. Miami won the first two matches, both at Chase Field in Fort Lauderdale.
Sunday’s kickoff is 6 p.m. at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.
“It was a little bit different of a week for us in terms of having a game in the middle of the week, but it served its purpose,” said Head Coach Chris O’Neal of the match with the parent Nashville SC. “They’ve been energetic, they’ve been excited, and they’re looking forward to this weekend.”
Sunday’s match will celebrate Fan Appreciation Night. There will be a halftime concert in the Yellowhammer Brewing Craft Beer Garden by 18 Minute Commute.
Following the final whistle, fans can come down to the pitch and celebrate a Party on the Pitch presented by Chicken Salad Chick, with music, glow sticks, and giant soccer balls.
“The energy and support around The Joe has been fantastic,” O’Neal said. “I’m proud of what we’re doing and I hope we can continue to make the fans proud.”
Meanwhile, O’Neal said his club will be facing a dangerous Miami squad.
“They’re a very dangerous team,” he said. “They’re very good when they get going … they’re very well coached, so it should be an exciting game.”
O’Neal is familiar with the club, having spent one year as the U-17 coach of the Inter Miami CF Academy, where he helped develop young talent in South Florida.
He said there is a little extra motivation in facing his former employer.
“As a competitor, and being in this business, that’s part of the fun when you get to compete against people you know,” O’Neal said. “You want to have the bragging rights.
“But at the end of the day, the players are often much more motivated than the coaches and the players will hopefully have a bigger impact than the coach will have.”
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