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Inter Miami opens camp with retooled roster, many questions. Here are six takeaways

Inter Miami should have added names to the practice jerseys as the team kicked off training camp Monday. There were so many new players reporters had to rely on boot colors and hairstyles to distinguish among them.

More than half of last year’s starting lineup is gone for Season 3, including designated player Rodolfo Pizarro, 2020 MVP Lewis Morgan, defenders Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Christian Makoun, all of whom were traded or loaned. French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi and Argentine defender Nico Figal are also on their way out.

Replacing them is a collection of young, hungry, speedy players hand-picked by chief soccer officer Chris Henderson and coach Phil Neville. After inheriting much of the club’s original roster when they took over in 2021 and not reaching the playoffs, Henderson and Neville were determined to put their imprint on the team.

They also had to reduce the payroll to compensate for MLS fines for roster rules violations in 2020.

“This is a reset button for the organization,” Neville said. “We knew we had to make big decisions and be brave, and we were willing to do that.”

Neville stressed the amount of research and vetting that Henderson and the scouting team did.

“We’re now not just signing players just because a friend of a friend knows someone who’s good or an agent is close to someone,” he said. “We’re signing someone because they’ve been watched 20, 30, 40 times by five or six people. We know about their family history. We’re not signing players on a whim. We’re signing players that fit with our team. I’ve had input. There are no excuses now.”

The season begins with a long list of questions.

How does Gonzalo Higuain look?

The Argentine forward and team’s highest-paid player came into camp fitter than last year and highly motivated. Higuain, 34, said Monday his mother’s death and other issues distracted him last season but now he has a clear head and is determined to lead the team to a playoff run. He vowed to be a more vocal leader and maintain a positive attitude.

He also hinted that he’ll assume more of a playmaker role and joked that he’d let the younger, faster players do more of the running.

“If last year at less than 100 percent I was able to score 12 goals and have seven assists, I think this year being focused I can improve my numbers and help the team reach the playoffs,” Higuain said. “A lot of my friends and teammates have left. A big change. With my age and experience I have to be a leader for these young guys.”

Neville and Higuain spoke every day of the offseason.

“We spoke about his legacy in this club,” Neville said. “He wants to be remembered as a winner. You look at how he was training (Monday) and the shape he’s in, that’s someone who has massive motivation. These players when they come in, the first player they want to meet is Gonzalo Higuain. He is the face of this organization on the pitch.”

Inter Miami CF forward Gonzalo Higuain talks to reporters during a press conference after the team’s first training session prior to the start of the new MLS season at the team’s training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, January 17, 2022.
Inter Miami CF forward Gonzalo Higuain talks to reporters during a press conference after the team’s first training session prior to the start of the new MLS season at the team’s training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, January 17, 2022.

What can fans expect from the new players?

“Youth, energy, speed, and hunger,” Neville said. “We brought in a certain type of player with great character who wants to be part of a team. Last year I felt there were individuals who felt they were more important than the team. The best players don’t always make the best team. I’m in a miles better mindset and more confident than I was a year ago when I sat here and not knowing the players that I was coming in to manage.”

Inter Miami CF player Ariel Lassiter kicks the ball during the team’s first training session prior to the start of the new MLS season at the team’s training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, January 17, 2022.
Inter Miami CF player Ariel Lassiter kicks the ball during the team’s first training session prior to the start of the new MLS season at the team’s training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, January 17, 2022.

What’s the latest on Blaise Matuidi and Nico Figal?

Matuidi, 34, has a year left on his contract but is not in the team’s plan for this season. The club is in talks with him and his representatives about a buyout or other solution. Henderson said a statement is expected soon. Figal is being wooed by multiple clubs, Henderson said, and his future should be determined in the coming days.

What can fans expect from Robbie Robinson?

The young forward hopes to stay injury free after battling hamstring problems last season.

“I want to make my stamp this year,” he said. “This could be a really big year for me individually and for this young team, which looks very dynamic, fast, and powerful. We never lived up to what we thought we could do. We want to show what we’re capable of.”

Inter Miami CF forward Robbie Robinson talks to reporters during the first training session prior to the start of the new MLS season at the team’s training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, January 17, 2022.
Inter Miami CF forward Robbie Robinson talks to reporters during the first training session prior to the start of the new MLS season at the team’s training facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Did anyone stand out at the first training session?

“(Christopher) McVey’s come in and hasn’t said that much but just does his talking on the football field, which is the type of player I like,” Neville said. “No frills. No histrionics. No drama. Comes into work, does his job, is part of a team. You can say the same for Mo Adams, Ariel Lassiter, (Jairo) Quinteros, (Leonardo) Campana, Emerson (Rodriguez), all the new players.”

Is Inter Miami done wheeling and dealing?