Humbled Herons try to regroup against NYCFC
The Men in Pink return to the pitch today for the first time since Nashville booted the defending MLS champs unceremoniously out of the Champions Cup.
Midfielder Telasco Segovia could play a critical role in today’s match between Inter Miami CF and New York City FC on the Pigeons’ tiny pitch at Yankee Stadium. CREDIT: Inter Miami CF.
Inter Miami’s season didn’t end Wednesday in Nashville, despite Heron Nation’s collective gloom after the Coyotes unceremoniously booted Los Garzas from the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Pink & Black will play New York City FC at 1 p.m. EDT today at Yankee Stadium hoping to bounce back from that disappointment.
“We can’t change what happened, and there’s no point in dwelling on it and regretting it.... That’s soccer. It happens. But I think it’s up to us to prove that what happened the other day was just a fluke. And well, the best way to prove it is to focus on the league now.” — Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano
Why was Miami’s elimination so crushing? Because if came under the weight of self-created expectations. Within minutes of Miami’s winning its first MLS Cup in December, managing co-owner Jorge Mas told a global television audience that the Herons’ top priority in 2026 was winning Champions Cup. Only three U.S.-based teams have won the continental club championship in 60 tries — Mexican teams have lifted the cup 40 times — but the Lionel Messi-led Herons run through last year’s postseason made Mas’ audacious ambition seem possible.
Their task clear before them, Inter Miami spent the offseason bringing in players to help the Herons beat Liga MX’s best. They didn’t get the chance.
Nashville warmed up by eliminating Atletico Ottawa in the Cup’s first round, while Miami had a bye. The rivals drew 0-0 in Nashville and 1-1 in Miami, but the Coyotes advanced because of CONCACAF’s away-goal tiebreaker.
There goes the season. Except the Herons have to keep playing. There are 30 more matches to be played in the Major League Soccer season; Miami should contend for a second Supporters’ Shield and could become the first team since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012 to win back-to-back MLS Cups. And another Leagues Cup could help the Herons salvage their season (they won the inaugural tournament between MLS and Liga MX sides in 2023 against Nashville).
The rest of the season begins today in the Bronx against a very good NYCFC side. The Pigeons enter the match atop the Eastern Conference standings with 10 points in four matches (tied with — who else? — Nashville); Miami is tied for third with seven points. Coach Javier Mascherano told reporters Saturday that the Herons can’t dwell on Wednesday’s result.
“We can’t change what happened, and there’s no point in dwelling on it and regretting it. Clearly, we’re still in the process of accepting and coming to terms with the disappointment of being eliminated,” Mascherano said according to Michelle Kaufman’s report in the Miami Herald. “That’s soccer. It happens. But I think it’s up to us to prove that what happened the other day was just a fluke. And well, the best way to prove it is to focus on the league now.”
Miami beat the Pigeons 5-1 in the Eastern Conference championship game in November, but NYCFC has won eight of the teams’ all-time matchups to just three victories for Miami. Los Garzas have just one win in six tries at Yankee Stadium. Form, as well as history, are against the Herons today. The undefeated Pigeons have scored 11 goals and allowed three in their four matches; the usually explosive Miami offense has produced just seven goals in six contests so far; the usually suspect defense, on the other hand, has allowed just seven goals.
The Herons will play without three starters this afternoon. Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul suffered a bruised leg Wednesday and will sit out today’s match; center back Maxi Falcon (knee) and left back Sergio Reguilon (leg muscle strain) are out with injuries.
Messi is expected to play before joining the Argentina national team for friendly matches against Mauritania (Friday) and Zambia (March 31).