Fatal flaw? Critic doubts that Inter Miami can win ‘big’ matches
Minnesota United FC uses familiar strategy to outscore the Herons 4-1 Saturday. Former USMNT player Hercules Gomez says the club’s ‘Messi & Friends’ model is to blame.
‘Pink Phony Club’
Minnesota United FC’s social media team trolled Inter Miami on Instagram after the Loons beat the Herons 4-1 Saturday. The point total in the inset is the clubs’ Supporter Shield ranking after the match. PHOTO: Minnesota United FC Instagram
Frustration mounts for Messi’s Miami
Last year, Inter Miami set a new Major League Soccer record for points in a season (74). With better defensive talent and all-around depth supporting the ‘Messi & Friends’ core, the Herons were supposed to be better in 2025.
But a 4-1 loss Saturday in Minnesota (6-2-4, 22 points) was the Pink & Black’s fourth in five matches and left Miami (6-2-3, 21 points) fourth in the Eastern Conference and sixth in the Supporters Shield race.
Aging stars and unproven prospects
The Loons are the latest side to expose the South Florida super club as imposters with a glaring weakness: the roster is stocked with iconic but aging stars and exciting but inexperienced prospects.
Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez — all older than 34 — have world-class ability, intelligence, and the guile and instincts developed by playing almost two decades at the highest level.
Benjamin Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende, Telasco Segovia, Federico Redondo and Chelo Weigandt — all younger than 27 — are peaking physically and have shown enough skill and intelligence to earn significant playing time.
Veterans who know how to play but are declining physically and youngsters who can run all day but haven’t learned to read the game. The Herons lack journeymen to bridge the gap — players savvy enough to play with their veteran teammates and fit enough to help the youngsters defend.
‘Messi desperately needs more help’
Hercules Gomez, a former USMNT player and cohost of the ESPN+ soccer show “Futbol Americas,” said he has watched Messi’s frustration mount as his younger teammates fail to recognize opportunities he sees on the pitch or to execute when they do.
“(Messi) has a real chance to be embarrassed in front of the whole world, not because he’s not good enough, but because his team is not good enough”
— Hercules Gomez, former USMNT player
“What is evident is the urgency with which Messi desperately needs more help,” Gomez said, later adding that the iconic striker, widely believed to be the greatest ever to play the game, “has a real chance to be embarrassed in front of the whole world,” when the Herons compete in the Club World Cup in June, “not because he’s not good enough, but because his team is not good enough.”
The blueprint
Steve Cherundolo, who coaches Los Angeles FC, recognized it first: the kids don’t know how to play with Messi & Friends in tight quarters. LAFC packed defenders in the penalty box and, when they inevitably caused a turnover, they ran like hell on the counter. The strategy gave the Black & Gold a 1-0 win in its home leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals (Miami advanced, but were easily dispatched by Vancouver in the semifinals.)
It sounds too simple; maybe it is, but it worked. First LAFC, then Vancouver (twice) and Minnesota used that formula to beat Miami (Dallas did much the same in its 4-3 come-from-behind win, but the Big Four sat that one out).
Gressel the prophet
Midfielder Julian Gressel, a key contributor with the 2024 Supporters Shield-winning Herons, didn’t figure in first-year coach Mascherano’s plans this season. He never saw the pitch and was waived in April and quickly signed by Minnesota. Loons defender Michael Boxhall said Gressel offered a pregame analysis of his former side.
“Actually, in the locker room, he said that (the Herons) will be good for 30 minutes, and then after that, we’ll get a chance, and we scored in the 32nd, so he was spot on,” Boxall said after Saturday’s match.
So, it’s out there: The emperor has no clothes.
Prospects?
While Inter Miami remains a talented MLS club that should make the playoffs, it isn’t built to compete with the best teams in North America, much less the elite sides coming to the United States in June to compete for the Club World Cup.
Inter Miami could add players during a special transfer window approved by FIFA for Club World Cup teams between June 1-10, and there’s never a shortage of rumors when it comes to the Herons and big-name free agents. It’s unlikely, though, that Miami can bring in an attacking player both astute enough to help Messi and Suarez unlock defenses and fit enough to get back effectively on defense.
There’s a good chance the Pink will have to wait until FIFA’s regular summer transfer window to bring in the quality it needs.
On the bright side, if there is one, nobody expects Inter Miami to win the Club World Cup; the best I hope for is to make it out of a (relatively) easy group. And about two-thirds of the MLS remains to be played.
Next up: The Herons play Wednesday at San Jose (5-6-1, 16 points); kickoff is scheduled at 9:30 p.m. ET.