Chase Stadium- Inter Miami CF kicked off its fifth MLS season Wednesday night with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. The Herons came out strong and dominated the first half, with Robert Taylor scoring a low crossing shot in the 39th minute to put Miami ahead 1-0 just before halftime. Diego Gómez sealed the match with a well-placed shot in the 89th minute after a masterful sprint by Lionel Messi and a nifty assist by Luis Suarez.
The first goal of 2024 belongs to Robert Taylor!
The set-up from Messi and a finish to make it 1-0. 💥
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/D7skJOK7bn pic.twitter.com/cWCFmvGrjc
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 22, 2024
A silky smooth goal for The Herons 🤤 pic.twitter.com/p6a1x0afEK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 22, 2024
The victory left some clues about what we may expect in the 2024 season.
Messi Is Focused & Fit
Lionel Messi looked fit, he made several long sprints on the night with a couple of them leading to Miami’s goals scored. While some of the players on the pitch looked a bit rusty, Lionel appeared to be in midseason form. He was laser-focused on leading the Herons to victory. A focused and fit Messi can lead Inter Miami to the Promised Land.
Lionel #Messi𓃵 Can still sprint past defenders at this stage of his career…The Goat 🐐…#MLS #InterMiamiCF https://t.co/vzSZjl2zUA
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 22, 2024
Tata Favors Experience
The Starting XI for Inter Miami had nine very experienced players and two young prospects. Martino came out with the heavy artillery relying on his veteran players to begin the MLS season at home. The vets played a masterful first half but appeared to tire early in the second half. Miami pressed high early and throughout the match, with the physical demand taking a toll on the players. Martino left the starters out for a long time and then brought in the substitutions. It seems Martino will rely on his veterans to set the tone and then bring in the youngsters to finish out the games.
Le pregunté a Tata sobre el rendimiento de Tomas Avilés contra #RealSaltLake…#InterMiamiCF #MLS
I asked Tata his thoughts on Tomas Aviles’s performance against Real Salt Lake… pic.twitter.com/5urJqkMRRq
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2024
Ryan Sailor Is Out Of Favor
When Tomás Avilés was subbed off in the 77th minute of play, Noah Allen was chosen as the first center-back off the bench. Allen has historically been a left-back, even throughout his youth soccer days in South Florida. Ryan Sailor was available and healthy to come off the bench and Martino chose Allen instead. Noah played in all the preseason matches often as the left center-back in a backline of five, and did a decent job.
Ryan Sailor is a natural center-back and really cannot play any other position on the pitch. Once Ian Fray and Franco Negri return to the squad, Sailor will fall further down in the depth chart. If Ryan makes it through the whole season with Miami, I will be surprised.
Diego Gomez & Julian Gressel Receive A Lot Of Criticism
The preseason tour was not good for Julian Gressel as he struggled to find a rhythm and fit in the Miami midfield. Diego Gómez did not fare much better in his lone preseason game for the Herons but was outstanding for Paraguay’s U-23 squad during Olympic Qualifiers. In my opinion, both Gómez and Gressel had good performances on opening night.
Inter Miami social media world saw it a different way. I’ve read quite a few negative commentaries about both Julian & Diego. Honestly, both played well against Real Salt Lake with Diego scoring the game-sealing goal in the 89th minute.
The Young Herons Will Play
Inter Miami dominated the first half against Real Salt Lake with ball possession and high pressure on defense. The Herons could have easily been on top by multiple goals going into halftime but only managed to score once. The second half was more chaotic and the team looked like it began to lose steam.
The young Herons will be counted upon to provide a spark off the bench when the starters begin to tire in the second half. For Miami to be successful and reach its goal of winning trophies in 2024, it will have to rely on the youngsters playing heavy minutes.
Off To LA
Inter Miami embarks on its first road trip of the season flying to the West Coast to face a revamped LA Galaxy. LA will await Miami well rested and ready to defend their home turf. Messi & The Fantastics will have to perform after a quick turn-around and a long trip out West.
Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Suarez will have a chance to put on a show in LA in primetime and help Miami climb up the Power Rankings.
Orlando City tops our #MLS Preseason Power Rankings…
The defending champs Columbus Crew come in 2nd#InterMiamiCF has room to rise at 5th…
Thoughts 💭 comments? Let us know how you’re feeling…#MLS pic.twitter.com/ZSu5zalX8t
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 24, 2024
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