The Herons' backline will likely be the difference between success and failure this season, starting with the CONCACAF Champions Cup
When you have the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in your team, you'll always have a chance. We saw it for years at Barcelona and, in these early days at Inter Miami, we've gotten glimpses of that fact too.
If the Herons are to be successful, though, they'll have to overcome what's going on at the other end of the field. The Messi and Suarez duo may just be enough to win them trophies, but their defense is a serious concern.
That will be the storyline of the season: can Inter Miami's superstars do enough to overcome their defensive frailties? Can Gerardo 'Tata' Martino find a way to mask what feels like a major weakness? And, if he can't, if this is the best this unit will look, what will that mean for the club's ambitions this season?
Ahead of the club's CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg against Nashville SC, those questions are taking centerstage as the club pursues its first trophy of the season.
Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowGettyPreseason issues
The signs were there relatively early this season. Throughout preseason, it became clear that Miami would have plenty to sort out on the backline.
Their first two games were okay enough: a 0-0 draw with El Salvador and a 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. The attack struggled in those games but the world knew that wouldn't last long. There was too much talent there.
In Saudi Arabia, though, Miami's Achilles heel began to show itself. They were battered 6-0 by Al Nassr in an embarrassing defeat that came just days after a 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal. 10 goals conceded in two games? Even in preseason, that's inexcusable.
They settled down after and, in the month-and-a-half since, have largely looked strong. However, there have been moments, of calamity, headlined by the recent loss to CF Montreal.
AdvertisementGettyA relatively solid stretch
Inter Miami came out flying to start the MLS season. Solid results against Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy gave them four points from their first two games, a good haul all things considered.
It was their match against Orlando City, though, that got everyone excited. That's what happens when you win a game in that way.
Led by superstar performances from Messi and Suarez, the Herons blew out their local rivals 5-0. It was a comprehensive and dominant performance from a team that totally exposed the opposition in what should have been a relatively even game.
For some time, the tactics have been there to beat Inter Miami. You have to be physical with them and, when you get the ball, you have to run, run and run some more. Make their old legs battle and fight all game long. You can't let Messi and Co develop a rhythm, which is exactly what Orlando did.
Nashville was up next, and they nearly shocked Miami in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Two fantastic goals from Jacob Shaffelburg put Nashville ahead, but the Herons clawed their way back to seal a 2-2 draw. Messi and Suarez, of course, were the catalysts, with the Uruguayan scoring in the 92nd minute to equalize.
Messi, though, wasn't available in the club's next game against CF Montreal, and it was in that contest that the wheels fell off as Inter Miami crashed back down to earth.
Exposed by Montreal
It started off with a near-disaster. Rushing off his line to clear, goalkeeper Drake Callender faltered, allowing CF Montreal clear through on goal. Some scrambling from Serhiy Kryvtsov prevented a goal, but it didn't get any better after that.
Montreal scored from the ensuing corner kick due to some poor marking from the Inter Miami defense. Then, just a few minutes later, it was Kryvtsov's turn to miss a header, leaving Callender to bail him out. Within the first 30 minutes, Miami made several catastrophic errors and were lucky to only be down a goal because of them.
Inter Miami leveled it in the 71st minute, but the good vibes didn't last long. They were soon undone by another set piece, as Matias Coccaro was held onside for a close-range header. Three minutes later, Sanusi Ibrahim made it 3-1 and, although Jordi Alba scored in the 80th minute to give Miami hope, the match went Montreal's way.
Given the fact that Messi and Suarez didn't start, nor did midfield star Sergio Busquets, it would be easy to write it off as one bad game. That side of the ball, though, largely held its own, with Leonardo Campana getting that 71st-minute equalizer. The defensive issues were not a one-off, though, not in the slightest.
GettySet-piece issues
Former MLS star Taylor Twellman, a commentator on Apple TV, was particularly frustrated by Miami's set-piece defending. Those are the basics, after all. All good teams, particularly the best ones, make the most of set-pieces, not concede because of them.
Inter Miami will get theirs from dead-ball situations this season, particularly with Messi taking them. However, conceding on set pieces in the way they did against Montreal is something that can't be excused.
“You have to defend set-pieces. I couldn’t care less what anybody says about Inter Miami," Twellman said on AppleTV.
“They have not figured this out since the beginning of last year to now. These are simple defending set-pieces, the goalkeeper isn’t coming off his line quick enough, and defenders aren’t man-marking.”
