Herons Handle Puebla In Leagues Cup 2024 Debut

Chase Stadium- Inter Miami CF began its defense of the Leagues Cup title with a convincing 2-0 win over Mexican side Puebla on Saturday night at Chase Stadium. A Matias Rojas first-half goal and a late second-half goal by Luis Suarez led the Herons.

Starting XI

Miami’s Starting XI had a couple of surprise starters to face Puebla. CJ Dos Santos started in the goal for incumbent Drake Callender and newly signed center-back Hector David Martinez played alongside Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Marcelo Weigandt on the backline. Matias Rojas, Yannick Bright, and Federico Redondo composed the midfield. Robert Taylor, Luis Suarez, and Julian Gressel were the front three.

The Starting XI for #InterMiamiCF surprises with Drake Callender on the bench & Dos Santos in goal…Newly acquired center-back Hector David Martinez gets the start …

Interesting moves by Tata…#MLS #LeaguesCup pic.twitter.com/AsDoJrRK12

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 27, 2024

Game Action

Inter Miami came out fast and furious against Puebla with Matias Rojas booming a left-footed strike into the upper corner of the net in the 9th minute to give the Herons the 1-0 lead. Early on it looked like Miami would score several goals in the first half and run away with the match, but it did not play out that way.

Goooolazo!!! Matias Rojas with a left-footed boom 💥 into the Puebla upper corner of the net…#InterMiamiCF leads 1-0 9-minutes in…#MLS #LeaguesCup

pic.twitter.com/w6eye2ZiRC

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 28, 2024

The Herons were so dominant in the first half that goalie CJ Dos Santos found the time to come out of his box and stand near the midfield circle.

Dos Santos is so far out of his box that he’s near midfield…#InterMiamiCF #MLS #LeaguesCup pic.twitter.com/GaPmhQAECS

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 28, 2024

The dominance did not translate into a flurry of goals as the Herons had to wait until the 72nd minute to double their lead. Julian Gressel placed a gorgeous service to Jordi Alba who then crossed the ball perfectly to Luis Suarez for the finish into a wide-open goal for the final 2-0 score. A strong start in the tournament for the Herons.

Bright makes a fantastic defensive play that turns into a beautiful counter that ends with a Luis Suarez Gol! #InterMiamiCF leads 2-0 72 minute #MLS #LeaguesCup

pic.twitter.com/UcSK1GNIPH

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 28, 2024

Postgame

CJ Dos Santos made his debut in an international match Saturday night against Puebla and the young goalkeeper did not disappoint. Dos Santos had a strong game all around, he made good stops and looked poised and focused during the match. There was a moment in the first half that caught my attention, CJ went far out of his box and was almost near midfield while Inter Miami had Puebla backed up into their side of the pitch. I asked CJ about that and if Tata Martino had said anything to him because he was so far up the pitch,

“I want to touch the ball as much as possible, I want to be a part of the team, I want to be a part of the buidup a part of the play as much as possible”

CJ Dos Santos is a confident young goalie who has his own playing style, I asked him about playing at times far out of his goalie box…. pic.twitter.com/4eWM2zSoKX

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 28, 2024

Drake Callender will undoubtedly continue to be the unquestioned starter in goal for Inter Miami, but when he needs a rest Miami’s goal will be in good hands with CJ Dos Santos.

Final Thoughts

Miami’s 2-0 win over Puebla gets the journey for the repeat in the Leagues Cup off on the right foot. The Herons controlled the majority of the match and could have easily won by a larger margin. Tata Martino has the squad prepared and playing confidently, the Herons are going to be a tough out for any team they face in the Leagues Cup.

Hector David Martinez got off the plane, signed his contract with Inter Miami, and then had a fabulous game in his debut with the team in Leagues Cup versus Puebla. The left-footed center-back was elegant playing out of the back and strong when challenging on the ball. Let’s hope he’s able to stay healthy for the remainder of the season because injuries have hampered the center-back position for Miami the last couple of seasons.

Yannick Bright continues to play at a very high level for the Herons. The young midfielder has become an important part of the tactical functioning of the midfield with his rugged tackles all over the pitch and his efficient passing. Tata is going to have a dilemma in deciding what to do with the abundance of quality midfielders when choosing a starting lineup.

Leagues Cup, MLS Cup, and the Supporter’s Shield are in play for Inter Miami in what remains of this 2024 season. It’s an exciting time for the team and the fans, let’s enjoy the ride.