The atmosphere in the stands became even more hostile when the fans turned on 90th-minute substitute Neville’s son Harvey, who was booed every time he touched the ball.
That last detail is one that Miami’s coach struggles to accept, under any circumstances.
“Please, just come get me,” Neville replied when asked what he would say to the fans “… Don’t kill one of our own, don’t throw one of our own. Just come for me.
“… Don’t go to one of my boys, don’t go to one of my young kids because it hurts, it’s personal.”
Veteran Miami fullback DeAndre Yedlin echoed his coach’s sentiments, urging fans to get behind the 20-year-old academy product, who has played 178 league minutes this season.
“If you’re going to boo him, boo us all,” said the 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cup veteran with the United States. “…We understand their frustration, but I don’t think it’s right to go after one player, especially a young player.”
Given the current state of affairs in Miami, Neville knows patience is running out as the club endure their second long losing streak of the season and crash out of the Audi MLS Cup finals.
“We have to take all the criticism, all the booing,” admitted the manager. “… Our results have not been good enough.”