Inter Miami coach Phil Neville on MLS playoff berth: ‘We’re in, but we’re not done’

Inter Miami had just clinched a playoff spot with a commanding 4-1 win over rival Orlando City on Wednesday night and DRV PNK Stadium erupted into a pink party.

All the players, plus co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas, jumped up and down on the field in front of the raucous north stands, where “La Familia,” the most diehard fans, set off pink smoke bombs and showered the team with love.

In the center of it all, celebrating like a little kid, was forward Gonzalo Higuain, who scored two of Miami’s goals just 48 hours after announcing he will retire after this season. “Ole-Ole-Ole-Ole, Pipa! Pipa!” the fans chanted, honoring the Argentine star by his nickname. After a slow start, Higuain has been on a torrid pace of late with 14 goals in the past 15 games.

The same could be said about the team. After going winless the first five games, Inter Miami is one of the hottest teams entering the postseason with four wins in a row.

Coach Phil Neville said the team mood is “incredibly high” since moving up to fifth place and earning a playoff berth, but he is trying to keep his players grounded heading into Sunday’s regular-season home finale against CF Montreal (2:30 p.m., My33).

“If anyone thinks they have their party hats on, they won’t be playing on Sunday,” he said.

Reaching the playoffs is certainly a cause for celebration, Neville said, but there is more to play for, and the team has loftier goals.

If Inter Miami beats Montreal and New York Red Bulls loses or ties, Miami will finish in fourth place and clinch home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs Oct. 15-17.

“We’re in, but we’re not done,” Neville said. “This is just the start of hopefully a long, successful journey. We’re hitting form at just the right time. We’ve got momentum. We’ve got confidence, belief, spirit. We need to keep that going. We’ve qualified for the playoffs, but I don’t want any drop-off. I don’t want them to feel we have reached the top of the mountain.”

Although both Miami and Montreal have clinched playoff spots, they both have plenty to play for. With a win and a Philadelphia loss or tie, Montreal can finish atop the Eastern Conference and earn a first-round bye.

The game will be preceded by a tribute to Higuain. After the game the players will do a lap of appreciation around DRV PNK Stadium to connect with the fans. The first 10,000 fans to arrive will get a free team bucket hat.

“Sunday we face one of the best teams in the conference and it’s fan appreciation day,” Neville said. “We know that the fans on Wednesday were our 12th player from the minute we stepped out for the warmup. The players noticed something really special. And we hope for the same on Sunday.”

Right back DeAndre Yedlin agreed.

“All the guys couldn’t stop talking about the atmosphere [for the Orlando game] and we hope to replicate that on Sunday,” he said. “We hope it’s the best crowd we’ve had all year. Gonzalo should be appreciated immensely. I’m glad we’re doing that for him. I’m sure fans will want to be there for that. Going for a fourth-place spot … if you had asked in July if we’d be in position to get a fourth-place spot, most people would have said no. We’re incredibly excited and motivated.”

Forward Leo Campana, who scored one of the best goals of the season in the first minute against Orlando, strained his left hamstring later in the first half, left the game and will not be available Sunday. Neville said he hopes to have him back for the playoffs.

Playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo, who missed Wednesday’s game with a groin pull, may be fit to play Sunday and will “definitely” be ready for the playoff games, Neville said. Captain Gregore returns to the starting lineup after missing a game due to suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Yedlin said players allowed themselves to celebrate the Orlando win, but they are highly motivated to beat Montreal.

“We can enjoy that moment, but at the end of the day, that was not our final goal,” Yedlin said. “Our final goal is to win MLS Cup. We haven’t reached exactly where we want to be.”

In addition to aiming for the Cup, Neville and his staff are playing for contract extensions. Neville, sporting director Chris Henderson and many of the assistant coaches signed two-year deals that expire at the end of this season.

No matter what happens, the team is already guaranteed its best finish. Miami finished 10th in the inaugural season and 11th last year.

“I trust the people I work for,” Neville said. “When I played, you get rewarded for good performances. Got bonuses when you played a good game. You have to really earn what you are given. We have a staff and group of players headed in the same direction and ownership with incredible ambition. We’re in fifth position. For the ownership I’m working for, I don’t think they’re happy with that. They want to finish first. But they also know from our conversations that we’ve taken a big step in the right direction. It keeps you hungry.

“I’ve always thought in life If you earn something it feels a lot, lot better. When I was younger, to get a new cricket bat I had to score 100. At 13 or 14 that took a lot of work and sacrifice. That’s the way I was brought up. You earn your rewards.”