Inter Miami CF 2023 Mid-Season Review -

Ft Lauderdale, FL – Inter Miami CF had high hopes to begin the 2023 MLS season after finishing sixth place in the Eastern Conference and making the playoffs in 2022. The Herons seemingly strengthened the squad with several preseason moves like the acquisitions of Josef Martinez from Atlanta United and the additions of veteran players Sergeii Kryvtsov, Nico Stefanelli, and Franco Negri. Seventeen games into their campaign, Inter Miami CF is in last place in the conference, a position I did not expect, yet here they are. Let’s take a look at my preseason review for 2023 and see the factors that have contributed to the dismal start for Inter Miami. We’ll look at each player and their performance thus far.

The only bonafide star ⭐️ for #InterMiamiCF so far this season…Don’t be terribly surprised if he moves on sooner than later to bigger & better things…#MLS pic.twitter.com/GsYfnB3zi8

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) June 1, 2023

By the Jersey Numbers…

#1 Drake Callender- Drake has been the team MVP so far with his stellar play and has grown into a team leader. Super Drake has demonstrated his commitment to the team by sacrificing his body and leaving his heart on the pitch each match.

#2 DeAndre Yedlin- DeAndre has been inconsistent and has not lived up to his status as a US National Team player. Yedlin has much more to give to the squad, especially defensively where he has been a liability.

#4 Chris McVey- After a superb 2022 season McVey has become an off-the-bench player for Miami, which may be based on player preference rather than production. Sergeii Kryvtsov and Kamal Miller have placed Chris on the bench, but he could see playing time at right back given Yedlin’s up-and-down season.

#7 Jean Mota- Mota started the season playing some of his best football for Inter Miami CF dishing out four assists in the nine games he played before suffering a serious knee injury against Columbus Crew. Mota is sorely missed in the midfield for his poise in bringing the ball out of the back and his ability to serve long passes over opposing defenses.

#8 (Bryce Duke)- Duke was traded along with Ariel Lassiter to CF Montreal for Kamal Miller and 1.3 million in GAM. Bryce was used out of position by Neville to cover for the losses of Gregore and Jean Mota and it did not go well. Now Duke is flourishing with Montreal in his natural role as an attacking midfielder. His trade was probably part of the bigger plan of acquiring Lionel Messi and some reinforcements.

#9 Leonardo Campana- Campana has three goals and an assist for Miami through eleven games played. Leo missed the first six games of the season due to a calf injury, a recurring theme with him. Lionel Messi’s arrival should provide a much-needed boost of quality passes coming Leo’s way, hopefully helping Campana have a goal-filled second half of the season if he can stay healthy.

#11 (Ariel Lassiter)- Ariel departed along with Bryce Duke to Montreal and left a glaring need for speed in the Miami attack. Despite not being the most technical player, Lassiter provided the breakaway speed Miami currently does not have on its roster.

#14- Corentin Jean- Coco spent most of the 2022 season injured, and just when he was starting to find his rhythm in 2023 he suffered a serious knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Jean’s two seasons in Miami have been disappointing because of his lack of availability due to injuries.

#15 Ryan Sailor- Ryan showed poise and personality as a rookie center-back last season for Inter Miami while playing big minutes for the team. This season Sailor has been relegated to the bench, but when given an opportunity he has been a solid contributor to the defense. Unfortunately, Ryan suffered an injury in Miami’s last home game against DC United and will miss some time.

#16- Robert Taylor- Taylor has continued to be Miami’s handyman, he’s been used off the bench in multiple positions to provide a spark for the team. Robert has seen an increase in minutes played due to the multiple injuries in the midfield and has done a good job, but he has the ability to offer more to the team.

#17- Josef Martinez- Martinez has four goals and one assist through fifteen games played for Miami, eleven of them starts. These numbers are below expectations for a player who has been a superstar in the MLS. Josef didn’t have a player that could serve him passes for clear goal-scoring chances, but that’s about to change with the arrival of Lionel Messi. The second half of the season should be better for Martinez.

#19-Robbie Robinson- Robinson has not played a minute this season due to injury, that has been the story of his Inter Miami career, one injury after another. Robbie is rumored to be released by the team this summer, and if it happens it could be the best thing for his career, offering a fresh start somewhere else.

#20 Rodolfo Pizarro- Pizarro is supposed to be a difference maker for Inter Miami as a Designated Player, but he has zero goals and one assist in nine games played, seven of them starts. The talented midfielder has underperformed and then missed nearly two months injured. This is more than likely Rodolfo’s last season with Miami unless he has a spectacular finish to the season.

#21-Nicolas Stefanelli- Stefanelli has been a good player for Inter Miami in his first MLS season, but one goal and one assist in sixteen games is not enough. Nico has to be more productive, finish chances on goal, and have better quality on his passes to the forwards.

#26-Gregore- The Brazilian captain had a strong start to the season, but a serious injury will have him out until September. The squad has missed the motor of the midfield and the heart of the team.

#27-Sergeii Kryvtsov- Sergeii has been the rock of the Heron defense this season. The veteran center-back has provided leadership with his steady play on the pitch for Inter Miami. Kryvtsov has been one of the few players to play at a high level all season long.

#32-Noah Allen- Allen suffered a knee injury in the preseason and it set him back, with Noah losing an early opportunity to get meaningful playing time to begin the season. Noah is now healthy and should receive more time with the number of games Inter Miami has packed for the second half of the calendar.

#33-Franco Negri- Negri has been a very productive player for Inter Miami with his ability to charge into space and cross the ball into the opponent’s box creating chances for Miami’s forwards. Franco has a goal scored and an assist in MLS games while also scoring a goal in US Open Cup play. Defensively it hasn’t been as good because Negri has been caught out of defensive position several times on goals scored by the opposition.

Miami is least in the East after 1-0 loss to #CFMTL …A message from Yedlin to the fanbase…My Recap & thoughts 💭 #InterMiamiCF #MLS https://t.co/LbKW3LCAS1

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 29, 2023

Key Additions

#3- Dixon Arroyo- The Ecuadorean center defensive midfielder has been a solid addition to the team while replacing the injured Gregore. Arroyo has scored a goal and provided a strong presence for Miami in the middle of the pitch, unfortunately, he suffered what appeared to be a groin injury against DC United and will miss some games.

#30- Benjamin Cremaschi- Cremaschi has been a revelation for Inter Miami, the eighteen-year-old midfielder has played with poise and personality beyond his years. Benjamin has been used all over the midfield and he seems best suited as a box-to-box player or defensive midfielder in my opinion. I’m sure he will continue to improve and grow with the experience under fire he is receiving this season.

#31- Kamal Miller- Miller has been a welcomed addition to the Inter Miami defense with his smooth left foot and pinpoint passes. I expect Miller to continue to play well and maybe score a goal or two with some assists for Miami in the second half of the season as a skilled center-back.

#41- David Ruiz- Ruiz has stepped into the pivot role and done an admirable job for a young player for Miami. David has shown confidence and skill while bringing the ball out of the back and into attacking transitions. The young player has scored a goal and provided an assist for the Herons. David has a tendency to commit fouls and get cards and he must improve on that aspect of his game, he has the ability to defend without receiving so many cards.

#49- Shanyder Borgelin- The young forward has played well when given an opportunity with a goal scored in MLS play and in US Open Cup. Borgelin has great potential but needs to continue to develop and use his large frame to his advantage, he often falls from contact with players with much smaller physiques than him.

Three big wins in a row for #InterMiamiCF…Read my Recap & thoughts 💭 on the #NERevs match..#MLS … https://t.co/xDrEkrg0UK

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 15, 2023

Final Thoughts “THE GOAT!”

Lionel Messi has announced that he will join Inter Miami CF once the second transfer period opens for MLS clubs on July 5, 2023. This changes everything for Miami, with the seismic move causing other moves on the team. It’s a well-known “rumor” that Sergio Busquets could join Messi in Miami, and along with him possibly some other big-name players.

Sporting Director Chris Henderson has his hands full, making moves prior to July 5. Bringing to MLS the world’s best player will change the landscape of American sports forever. The creative and massive deal Messi will be receiving will surely open up Pandora’s box for other megastar players in all the major sports. I can see basketball and football players at some point asking for an ownership interest in teams along with additional revenue from other sources.

The Goat is coming to Miami and the city will be a permanent festival while he is here. Let’s enjoy watching one of the most unique athletes to ever play a sport right in our own backyard.

Will the “Messi Effect” save the season for Miami? I don’t know what will happen in the second half of the season, but I do know it will be a must-watch.