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Philadelphia Union midfielder Anthony Fontana grew up a Juventus fan so it will no doubt be a unique experience for the 20-year-old homegrown player from Delaware to face an Inter Miami squad tonight featuring two former Juve players.
‘’I am not worried about them, even though they are going to be tough to play against,” Fontana said in a recent interview when asked about former Old Lady stars Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain, who is expected to be available for selection today after being signed by Inter Miami last week.
The game will take place at Subaru Park at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on PHL17 and streamed in-market on PhiladelphiaUnion.com.
‘’That’s going to be awesome, you know, going up against two world class players,” Fontana said. ‘’I am a big Juve fan.’’
Fontana insisted, however, that he will not be starstruck by either player.
‘’I am not going to fanboy, I am just going to focus on the game and I am focused on getting the three points,” he said.
After scoring three goals off the bench in wins over the New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls, head coach Jim Curtin didn’t use Fontana off the bench in Wednesday’s scoreless draw in Cincinnati. Alejandro Bedoya picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in that game, opening the door for Fontana to potentially start in the midfield tonight.
“We have full confidence in Anthony, he’s been excellent in training this week,” Curtin said in a press conference with media on Friday. “He’s ready to go against Miami and he will certainly play a major role for us.”
The Union and Miami just had their first ever encounter in the summer during the MLS is Back tournament, one that saw the Philadelphia men victorious by two goals to one.
It is the worth mentioning that the home side has only lost one game since the end of the tournament, making it five wins out of eight contests. Moreover, Jim Curtin’s men are unbeaten in the last four games.
Meanwhile, the league’s newbies are coming from a 4-1 home loss to the New York Red Bulls and will be looking for a taste of redemption. Especially with their record setting them with just three wins.