Dignity Health Sports Park – Inter Miami flew out of LA with a valuable point after a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday night. LA was the better team for most of the evening but couldn’t put the game away.
Drake Callender blocked a Ricky Puig penalty kick in the 13th minute with a spectacular diving effort.
Drake Callender IMO was the #InterMiamiCF MVP last season, and he’s begun this year magnificently…#MLS #MLSisBack https://t.co/Q8mIQoYcnW
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2024
In the 75th minute, the Galaxy managed to get on the scoreboard with a Dejan Jovejlic tap-in goal.
LA Galaxy gets on top 1-0…Miami is lucky to be down by only one goal…The Galaxy need to finish the deal…
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2024
Just when it seemed like the Herons were going to fly home with a loss, Magical Messi scored the tying goal in stoppage time.
Jordi Alba with the service into the box 📦 for a sliding Lionel #Messi𓃵 who puts it to rest into the #LAGalaxy net…1-1 #InterMiamiCF #MLS #MLSisBack
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2024
The unexpected plot twist gave Miami a huge point and deflated the Galaxy, which deserved better fortunes. The match left some interesting points to ponder.
The Herons fly out of LA with a Big point…#LAGalaxy were superior for long stretches of the match…#InterMiamiCF with some #Messi Magic stay unbeaten…#MLS #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/MKc2wVj5Mw
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 26, 2024
Callender Homecoming
Drake Callender was magnificent against the Galaxy, making eight saves and blocking a penalty in his homecoming. He continues to impress and is among the elite goalkeepers in MLS. As he continues to be a star for Miami, expect interest from overseas for his services.
Tired Herons
Inter Miami played a midweek match versus Real Salt Lake and then made a cross-country trip to play a good LA Galaxy squad on the road. Tata Martino used the identical Starting XI that won the first match 2-0, and the veterans looked tired. He has major decisions for the upcoming match on March 2, 2024, against Orlando City. Will Tata rotate and refresh the Starting XI or continue to stick with the veterans? I see rotations in the starting lineup with the veteran players coming in to play some minutes in the second half.
Miami Does Not Like The High Press
The International Preseason Tour gave Inter Miami opponents the blueprint for playing against the Herons. A high press that bottles up Busquets and blocks the lanes to Messi disrupts Miami’s flow. LA dominated most of the match with its pressing speed and the lightning-quick counterattacks when recovering the ball. Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec gave the Herons headaches on the wings for the Galaxy. A high press makes Inter Miami vulnerable in transition, which they need to improve.
Miami Is Clinical
LA Galaxy’s expected-goals for the match was 3.9, while Inter Miami’s was .9. A young team like LA had trouble putting Miami away while they had them on the ropes because they could not finish their chances on goal. A veteran Miami team was clinical and took advantage of their few chances to steal a point in LA.
Diego Gomez Has Improved
Diego Gomez has been impressive in the first two games of the season for Inter Miami. He looks confident and poised to have a big year barring any injuries. He is not a fan favorite at the moment, but everyone is taking notice of his improved play. Gomez made the MLS Young Team Of The Week for MatchDay 1-2.
Diego Gomez is one of the #MLS Young Players of the Match Day 1-2…
Gomez scored a goal against Real Salt Lake & was all over the pitch for #InterMiamiCF 🆚 LA Galaxy…
The midfielder has begun the 2024 campaign strong… pic.twitter.com/uw45yAtACK
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 27, 2024
Tough Test At Home
Orlando City will be a tough test at home for Inter Miami with their arsenal of attacking weapons. The Herons are going to need a great team effort on defense. The good thing is that Orlando also has some veterans and isn’t as fast-paced as the LA Galaxy, but they are more clinical. I predicted a 2-1 Miami win on a podcast, and I’ll stick with that.
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