Preseason Preview For Inter Miami CF’s 2023 Season

Ft Lauderdale, FL – On Saturday Inter Miami CF embarks on its fourth season in Major League Soccer with high hopes and big dreams for 2023. The organization and the fans believe that the Herons are going to take flight toward the ultimate goal, an MLS  championship. MLS pundits are not as high on Inter Miami, with some picking the team to finish as low as fourteenth in the Eastern Conference.  I’m projecting Inter Miami CF to finish in a top-four spot and have the ability to host at least one home playoff game.

Why do I feel this way? For one, the team finished sixth in the conference last campaign, and despite losing two difference makers in Gonzalo Higuain and Alejandro Pozuelo, this is a deeper more talented squad. Key additions Josef Martinez, Sergii Kryvtsov, Nicolas Stefanelli, and Franco Negri, along with the returning Rodolfo Pizarro will be crucial to the team’s success in 2023. Here’s a look at some players that are vital to Miami’s rise, and what is required from them to help the team reach its goals.

These two have a lot to prove this season for #InterMiamiCF.. their past contributions have been underwhelming, now they get the opportunity to change that .. #MLS pic.twitter.com/jt3kryKO5E

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 15, 2023

By the (Jersey) Numbers

#1 Drake Callender- Callender enters the season as the undisputed starter in goal after a season where he was recognized as one of the best goalies in the MLS. Drake must continue to grow in his role as a leader on the team.

#2 DeAndre Yedlin- DeAndre needs to find his best form at right-back and be a constant threat on the attack while being a stellar defender as well. Yedlin needs to find the form that led him to play European futbol and have a monster season for the Herons.

#4 Chris Mcvey- Mcvey was perhaps Miami’s best defender last season, solid and consistent. This season he will be playing mostly center-back, his natural position. Mcvey needs to continue to be a pillar for Miami on defense and elevate himself as one of the best defenders in the league.

#7 Jean Mota- Mota will be playing higher up on the pitch in his more natural role as a box-to-box midfielder this season, last campaign he was used as a pivot to bring the ball out cleanly from the back. I’m projecting Jean to have more goals and assists than he did last season, he’s an underrated player in this league.

#8 Bryce Duke- The “Duke of Miami” should continue his ascension as one of the better midfielders in the MLS. Duke has great potential, and in 2023 he should provide lots of assists. However, he must also score a decent amount of goals (5 to 6 range). A star must control the tempo of the game, and Bryce can grow into that role.

.@DukeBryce needs to fly high this 2023 campaign with #InterMiamiCF  & continue ascending as a player..The Duke 🤴 of Miami has the ability to provide assists & goals for the Herons..#MLS pic.twitter.com/fpcRJjCjog

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 22, 2023

#9 Leonardo Campana- For whom the bell tolls, it’s for Leo Campana. The talented forward should be around 15-20 goals with 5 assists to show his maturity and quality as a top-notch forward in the MLS. They are not easy goals, but they are attainable based on his talents.

#11 Ariel Lassiter- Ariel had a nice season with Miami in 2022, but 2023 must see a more polished and mature Ariel. He is the speedster at the forward position for Miami. He should come into games and have an instant impact.

#14 Corentin Jean- After a discrete first campaign, Corentin needs to provide the Herons with goals and assists as a rotational starter and key bench player.

#15 Ryan Sailor- Ryan should continue to be a steady presence in the backline whether he starts a game or comes off the bench.

#16 Robert Taylor- Taylor is futbol’s version of a great handyman, he can do it all at a high level. Robert needs to find his niche and remain consistent in providing quality performances when given an opportunity.

#17 Josef Martinez- Can Josef reclaim his attacking prowess and regain his previous MVP form? It will take an MVP-type season from Martinez to lead the Herons to the promised land.

Which Josef Martines is #InterMiamiCF getting?? If it’s a motivated, focused Josef it’s going to be a fun ride in 2023.. Martinez & Campana 🔔 give Miami a Strong combination up top.. #MLS pic.twitter.com/a4jzPnSDgR

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 22, 2023

#19 Robbie Robinson- Will 2023 finally be the season Robbie breaks out and shows the skills that made him an overall #1 pick in the MLS Super Draft? Robinson needs to provide a big contribution this season, somewhere around 6 goals coming off the bench. If he doesn’t become a key contributor off the pine, his time in Miami will likely come to an end.

#20 Rodolfo Pizarro- Pizarro is the biggest enigma on the team for the 2023 campaign. The DP has to be a big factor in the Heron’s success this season. Pizarro has the ability and looks to be motivated to be a difference-maker . I believe 8 goals and 7 assists would be a good year for him.

Last campaign Gonzalo Higuain redeemed himself with the fanbase after a brilliant finish to his final season with #InterMiamiCF Can @Rpizarrot do the same this 2023 & lead the squad with an AllStar level performance? His road to redemption starts this Saturday #MLS pic.twitter.com/RNgCvmfG5T

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 22, 2023

#22 Nicolas Stefanelli- The versatile Argentine will probably be the starting attacking midfielder for Inter Miami to begin the season. Stefanelli has been impressive in the preseason and is my pick for the best newcomer for the Herons. He has the futbol savvy, skill, and heart to be a revelation in MLS. Nico has to be a factor from day one for Miami.

#26 Gregore- The team captain has the mission of patrolling the area in front of the backline and of putting out fires all over the pitch. He is tasked with initiating buildup for Miami as well as destroying the opponent’s attack. It’s not an easy assignment, but If Gregore can do the job without making silly mistakes, Inter Miami CF will be a tough team to beat.

#27 Sergii Kryvtsov- The veteran center-back was brought in to provide leadership and composure to the defense. Kryvtsov’s experience should help consolidate the Heron backline, and allow younger defenders to learn what it takes to become a championship defender.

#32 Noah Allen- Noah was one of the brightest stars of the preseason for Miami until he suffered his knee injury. If Allen returns to the fantastic form he was showing, he can be a big contributor off the bench or as a starter at the left-back position, solidifying a position of need last season.

#33 Franco Negri- Negri was brought in to be the starter at left-back for Miami, and as such, he needs to be productive. During preseason Franco showed the ability to project himself down the line and be a part of dangerous combinations in the attack, as well as being a hard-nosed defender. Negris’ experience should be a valuable addition to the Heron’s backline.

Stefanelli could be a revelation for #InterMiamiCF & the #MLS.. quality player with fútbol smarts, heart, & high motor..looking forward to the type of season he’s going to have for the Herons in 2023… pic.twitter.com/FUERkoyjQ9

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 22, 2023

Final Thoughts

A series of circumstances must go in Miami’s favor in order for the squad to finish in the top four in the Eastern Conference; core players must elevate their games, while new players need to contribute immediately. It won’t be easy for those things to happen, but it’s also not impossible, therefore I’m picking the Herons to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference. We’ll revisit at the halfway point of the season.

Keeping Receipts for 2023