The program experienced a full-circle, milestone moment with a matchup against the Atlanta United Special Olympics Unified Team on Saturday, September 5
On Saturday night, the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team (SOUT) played in its first-ever match at Nu Stadium following the Inter Miami CF First Team match vs Atlanta United.
In its sixth season, the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team experienced a full-circle moment for the program, as the team faced the Atlanta United Special Olympics Unified Team – the very first team the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team ever competed against during its inaugural season back in 2020.
The match was packed with exciting moments from both teams, resulting in a 1-1 tie at the final whistle. Trailing behind at the start of the first half, the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team was determined to stay in the fight. With a chip over Atlanta United SOUT defenders, Inter Miami CF SOUT midfielder, Daniel Gonzalez delivered the ball to forward, Darian Sierra who put the ball in the back of the net with a right-footed volley to set the team back on track.
Earlier last week, the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team also held a training session at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale where the athletes were joined by Inter Miami CF First Team players, Facundo Mura, David Ayala, and César Abadia who helped the team prepare ahead of the match.
When asked what advice he would give to Inter Miami CF SOUT athletes ahead of Saturday’s match, Inter Miami CF First Team defender César Abadia offered, “to stay strong, to stay motivated together as a team. You know, if they concede a goal, or if things aren’t going their way in the game, to just stay stong and keep pushing.”
The Inter Miami CF SOUT ended the week leading up to the match with a visit to Nu Stadium for an exclusive tour of the facility where the athletes got an early feel for the pitch, allowing them to mentally prepare ahead of the big match. Together, the Inter Miami CF SOUT athletes received their newest team apparel, and were joined by the Atlanta United Special Olympics Unified Team for a family-style dinner at Nu Stadium to celebrate the passion and resiliency of both programs.
“For me the most incredible thing to see is how we’ve started something and didn’t really know how far it would get, to see where we are today,” said Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team Head Coach, Daniel Cartaya ahead of the match. “It is such high-level professionalism that every single one of the athletes participating feels like they’re a superstar.”
About the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified team
Together with our Community Partner Florida Blue, Inter Miami is dedicated to creating a space where individuals of all abilities are afforded the opportunity to showcase their talents on and off the pitch. Comprised of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and Unified partners, athletes without an IDD, the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team aims to foster teamwork while celebrating individuality.
Players: Alain Figueroa, Alan Garcia, Andre Guevara, Andres Baptiste, Bizzone Cruz, Daniel Gonzalez, Daniel Guerrero, Darian Sierra, David Calle Rodriguez, Diego Espinoza Acosta, Eduardo Alejandro Garcia Brito, Eduardo Marquez, Emeric Leon, Ivan Alexis Cadavid, Jayden Mendieta, John Rathbum, Jose Archondo, Kenny Gould-Papili, Luis Enrique Fernandez Gomez, Molly Levinson, Noelle Marie Montealegre, Patrick Hicks, Peter Reese, Sebastian Araque, Sky Carizo
Coaches: Ben Applefield, Danny Cartaya, Frank Marion III
