Chase Stadium- Inter Miami CF eliminated Sporting Kansas City from the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a convincing 3-1 victory on Tuesday night at home. Lionel Messi led the charge with a spectacular left-footed whip in the 19th minute and the Herons continued their dominance with a pair of goals by Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez just before halftime. Memo Rodriguez got one back for Kansas City in the 63rd minute on a shot that deflected off Maxi Falcon and went past Oscar Ustari.
Starting XI
Javier Mascherano’s Starting XI against Sporting Kansas City provided a potent combination of explosive attack and solid defense. Maxi Falcon made his grand debut, and Tadeo Allende scored his first official goal with the Herons. Oscar Ustari started in goal with Ian Fray, Toto Aviles, Maxi Falcon, and Jordi Alba forming the back four defensive line. Sergio Busquets led the midfield and was flanked by Federico Redondo and Telasco Segovia. Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, and Luis Suarez the front three attackers.
Fray & Falcón get the start along with Allende & Segovia in Miami’s #ConcaChampions 2nd leg match 🆚 Sporting KC…Gressel makes the game roster after rumors of trade interest from Philadelphia Union…#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Messi pic.twitter.com/l7c8Vdg6TM
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2025
Match Action
Sporting Kansas City came to fight for their lives and came out strong early on putting the Heron defense to the test, but Inter Miami held their ground and the inevitable happened. Lionel Messi masterfully controlled a Luis Suarez cross with his chest, timed the ball on a bounce off the ground, and whipped a left-footed rocket into the KC net for the 1-0 lead 19 minutes into the game.
Oh my goodness! Suarez serves a cross that Lionel #Messi controls with his chest & then just whips the ball ⚽️ past the KC keeper for the spectacular goal! 1-0 #InterMiamiCF in the 19th minute…#MLS #ConcaChampions
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2025
The Herons continued to dominate the half and scored a 2nd goal 1-minute into stoppage time. Jordi Alba won the left flank on a potent run into the box and delivered a cross to Tadeo Allende, who beat KC defenders to the pass to tap it into the Kansas net for the 2-0 lead.
Jordi Alba with the wicked cross for Tadeo Allende who delays his run and then exploded towards goal past defenders to tap it in … 2-0 #MLS #InterMiamiCF #ConcaChampions
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2025
The Herons were not done yet, as Luis Suarez received a gift that he didn’t hesitate to take advantage of. A failed clearance by the KC defense led to the ball dropping from the sky right into Luis’s lap, he shielded the defender and then blasted the ball past the goalkeeper for the 3-0 lead for Miami.
Luis Suarez was having a bad night until the ball ⚽️ literally dropped from the sky to him & he did what he does best, put it in goal … 3-0 in the first half for the Herons…#MLS #InterMiamiCF #ConcaChampions
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2025
Sporting KC’s Memo Rodriguez got one back in the 63rd minute with a shot that deflected off Maximiliano Falcon and past Oscar Usteri. KC could not manage to score again and the match ended 3-1 with Sporting eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Memo Rodríguez gets a deflected shot to go in past Oscar Ustari for the 3-1 score line…#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2025
Postgame
I was able to ask Ian Fray some rapid-fire questions after the match versus Kansas City on Tuesday night and was able to gather some interesting insights from his comments. When I asked him about his feelings about getting the start and his performance he said,
I felt good. I definitely feel I can improve alot, I felt tired in the second half but overall it was a good performance by the team.
The fans want Ian to be the starting right-back for Miami, especially after his solid performances to begin the season but he’s still working his way back into full fitness. It’s not just the stamina but also ensuring his knees are 100%. As the season progresses he should get more starter’s minutes and work his body back to complete health. Until then, he’ll probably be worked slowly into the role.
Ian plays both center-back and right-back at a high level, and when I asked him his preference he smiled,
I like either one, but I like to attack, so right back.
Marcelo Weigandt has reason to worry if Ian is eyeing the right-back spot. Fray provides height, speed, technical ability, physicality, and the ability to score in multiple ways. This battle will be interesting during the season.
Ian mentioned that he has Jamaican citizenship, which should not go unnoticed by the US Men’s national team administration. Center-back is one of the positions that needs a definite upgrade on the national team and a 22-year-old prospect like Fray should be on the radar. It would be a coup for Jamaica if Ian decided to play for their national team.
I got a chance to do some rapid fire 🔥 questions with @ianfray19 in the mixed zone…
Ian definitely enjoys playing right-back so he can get out on the attack & he’s really excited to play in Jamaica 🇯🇲 #MLS #InterMiamiCF #Concachampions #lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/l011bmEdF3— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2025
Final Thoughts
Inter Miami CF moves on to the Round of 16 after a good performance at home versus Sporting Kansas City. Federico Redondo had a quality showing on the night, he won many defensive duels and was good on the ball. Redondo’s output allowed Telasco Segovia to play higher and connect with Lionel Messi all over the pitch. The pair of young, talented midfielders complement Sergio Busquets well. As the season progresses expect those two to continue to flourish.
Tadeo Allende scored his first official goal with the Herons and it won’t be his last. Allende continues to impress on the wings and will eventually get more minutes as a striker when the legendary Luis Suarez is given some rest. He has a good burst of speed for his size and is a big acquisition for Miami this season.
Noah Allen wore the captain’s armband after Messi exited the match. That great honor shows the respect and admiration the veteran leaders have for Noah. It hasn’t been an easy climb, but Allen has made steady progress each season showing great determination and the heart of a lion.
The Herons have the squad and the road laid out in front of them to contend for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. This team needs to make the fans forget their bitter elimination last season by Atlanta in the MLS Playoffs, and they can do it right at the start of the season if they win the cup.
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