Chase Stadium- The Inter Miami retro third kit debuted Saturday night in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire, the same night Lionel Messi was celebrated for being the only player in football history to win 45 trophies in his professional career. Matias Rojas and Jordi Alba scored for Miami to secure three more points for the Eastern Conference and Supporter’s Shield leaders.
The 3rd kit debuts tonight 🆚 Chicago Fire 🔥 Let’s see how #InterMiamiCF plays in the new kits #MLS pic.twitter.com/osUBRym9WS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2024
Starting XI
Inter Miami started with Drake Callender in the goal and Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Marcelo Weigandt, and Tomás Avilés on the backline. Matias Rojas, Yannick Bright, and Federico Redondo made up the formidable midfield. Robert Taylor, Luis Suárez, and Julian Gressel were the attacking frontline.
Grooving Starting XI for #InterMiamiCF with all the Barca Boys in except for the injured Lionel #Messi … Must say that Callender looks great with a fro…#MLS pic.twitter.com/uNYMZ6cBF1
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2024
Game Action
The first goal in the new kits didn’t take long as Miami scored 6-minutes into the match. Tomás Avilés sent a cross-field pass to Robert Taylor who controlled the ball and pushed past the Chicago defender into the box, leaving a perfect service for Matias Rojas. Rojas launched a powerful left-footed strike into the back of the Chi-town net for the 1-0 lead.
Great start for #InterMiamiCF in the new kits with a gorgeous goal in the 6th minute..Fantastic cross-field pass from Toto Avilés to Robert Taylor who surges into the box leaving Matias Rojas a gift for the left-footed strike.. 1-0 Miami#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 21, 2024
The remainder of the half had each team create chances that neither could capitalize and they went into halftime with the 1-0 scoreline in Miami’s favor.
Rafael Czichos made a run from his center-back position charging past David Ruiz and rifled a shot past Drake Callender to tie the match in the 72nd minute for Chicago.
Chicago Fire 🔥 ties the match in the 72nd minute with a run by Czichos & a strike past Callender for the 1-1…
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 21, 2024
Just two minutes later Jordi Alba helped the Herons retake the lead when he volleyed home a goal for Miami. Alba took advantage of a loose ball in the box to score his game-winner.
Jordi Alba puts #InterMiamiCF back in the lead at the 74th minute with a one-time lefty strike into the net after a mixup in the Chicago goal area 2-1#InterMiamiCF #MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 21, 2024
Postgame
After the game, Icon of the Match Yannick Bright and goalkeeper Drake Callender were made available for questions.
Yannick Bright has assimilated the pro game with the ease that only gifted players can…Straight from college & he’s been brilliant, #InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/V8E17Xeubo
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 21, 2024
I asked Yannick about the ease with which he has been able to transition from the college to the MLS and in his response he gave credit to all his mentors,
Obviously, it’s playing with the mentors that teach you everyday and help you every day makes the work way easier. I have to thank everybody on the team, the coaching staff, everybody because day-in and day-out they were always there for me. They were always supporting me, they were always coaching and teaching me.
Yannick Bright credits his mentors on the team for his smooth transition from college to the #MLS…He also says that he will continue to improve & be even better..
Bright has been brilliant for #InterMiamiCF & a huge reason is mentoring from a player like Busquets pic.twitter.com/6V7RoKMwXP
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 21, 2024
Bright has been a great find for Inter Miami in the MLS Super Draft. He has steadily managed to improve this season and it has earned him a starting spot with the team. If he continues to elevate his game like he says he will, he’s going to be a special player for the Herons.
I asked Drake Callender to speak on the good form the team has shown without Lionel Messi, a run of six wins in seven games. Drake mentioned how players have been stepping up and mentioned the young guys,
Players are stepping up, I think we have good depth on our team, a lot of young player like Yannick who are stepping up and play a huge role in our games…
Drake Callender lets me know that the young guys have been stepping up for #InterMiamiCF with Lionel #Messi out #MLS pic.twitter.com/OJ7Koo3ENP
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 21, 2024
Final Thoughts
The new third kits look great and will probably be amongst the best sellers in MLS. Miami is booming business-wise with anything Messi-related a hot commodity. Even Inter Miami’s young players like Diego Gomez, Federico Redondo, and Benjamin Cremaschi to name a few, are highly desired as prospects by teams from across the pond. Just wait until the new stadium is finalized, then we’ll really be talking big money.
Lionel Messi was celebrated on Saturday night for his 45 trophies won throughout his unmatched career. The greatness that he has accustomed a generation of fans to is still intact even at the age of 37. His pace is slower, but he is still the GOAT.
Inter Miami has shown that they can still compete without Lionel winning six of their last seven matches. Upon his return, the team will be that much stronger. The Leagues Cup is up next without Lionel Messi, can the team compete in an international tournament without him?
The summer transfer market is open in MLS and Miami will be a player in the market. It is known that River Plate center-back Hector David Martinez will be announced soon by the Herons. What is not known is the myriad of other options Miami has to strengthen the roster for the final stretch of the season. Prepare for the unexpected, we might be surprised.
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