Brief Analysis Of Six Inter Miami Players’ Performances Versus San Miguelito

Panama City- Inter Miami CF defeated Sporting San Miguelito 1-3 to earn their first win in regulation time on their “The Americas” pre-season tour. A sharp and fit Lionel Messi put on a show for the crowd at the Estadio Rommel Fernández with some sleek dribbling and precise passes. It wasn’t all fun and games for Messi and Inter Miami during the match as Lionel was fouled hard and recklessly by Aymar Cundumi on two occasions, leading to brief melees each time. The third preseason match allows us to briefly analyze some players and their performances.

Tadeo Allende

Tadeo Allende scored his first goal wearing the Inter Miami CF uniform, a left-footed shot off a Luis Suarez pass. Allende showed pace and aggressiveness while winning the ball with his body from the defender. He looked better than he did in the first match and demonstrated the attitude of a finisher during the game, a player who’s looking to score himself. Miami needs Tadeo to score plenty of goals this season and he has to prove that he would be worth a long-term investment for the Herons after this season.

Tadeo Allende puts #InterMiamiCF on top 2’ minutes into the 2nd half… Allende needs to make the fans forget about Leo Campana 🔔 this season, & he can only do that scoring goals & providing assists…#MLS #Messi

pic.twitter.com/5FkyakYYzU

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 3, 2025

Benjamin Cremaschi

Benjamin Cremaschi got the start and played a solid match against San Miguelito. Cremaschi showed he can be a good two-way player, defending and attacking at a high level. He was able to create passing sequences in the midfield and made a nice run to bury a Marcelo Weigandt pass into the net for the 1-1 tie. Cremaschi appears more confident on the pitch and looks ready to continue his evolution into a top midfielder in MLS.

Benjamín Cremaschi ties the match up after a nice sequence of passes that ends up with the ball ⚽️ in the back of the San Miguelito net…1-1#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Messi
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— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 2, 2025

Yannick Bright

Yannick Bright looks like the odd man out of the young group of midfielders Inter Miami has assembled for the 2025 season. Fernando Redondo, Telasco Segovia, and Benjamin Cremaschi all seem to be ahead of him for playing time for different reasons. Redondo is highly rated and highly paid. Segovia was brought in this season as a Venezuelan jewel with a high upside, and Cremaschi is a young phenom who has already featured with the US National Team. Despite all that, it would not be surprising to see Bright win a starting spot at some point. Against San Miguelito, Yannick was a commanding presence in the midfield. He works well with Busquets and can recover balls in all sectors of the pitch. It will be interesting to see what Mascherano does with Bright during the 2025 season.

Bright & Cremaschi get the start after coming on last match & making a difference on the pitch for #InterMiamiCF… Allende gets another opportunity up top with #Messi & Suarez …#MLS pic.twitter.com/t7xlF8LIim

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 2, 2025

Tomas Aviles

Tomas Aviles has looked more composed and less erratic during the first three matches of Miami’s preseason tour than he did last season. The young defender has been good on the ball and has not committed any silly fouls so far. Perhaps the fact that a pair of defenders has been brought in to challenge for a starting center-back spot has motivated him. Aviles was an unquestioned starter last season but in 2025 he will face competition from David Martinez, Gonzalo Lujan, Maximiliano Falcon, Ian Fray, and Noah Allen at center-back. The tougher competition will only help Aviles and the rest of the defenders improve. If Miami’s defense can be among the top three in MLS, the Heron’s chances at winning a trophy will be good.

“.#InterMiamiCF announced today it has signed defender Maximiliano Falcón from Chilean First Division champions Club Social y Deportivo Colo Colo to a contract through the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season with an option for 2029.”#MLS pic.twitter.com/n8xV9PXIMt

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 1, 2025

Oscar Ustari

Oscar Ustari has had two very good matches in goal for Inter Miami this preseason. Ustari has been in complete command of his goal area, handling the ball securely when it gets to him and playing well with his feet when required. The veteran keeper is making strides and making a claim to be the starting keeper for Miami. If Drake Callender continues to be injured for a long period, he could find himself as a backup when he returns.

Oscar Ustari signed a 1 yr contract with #InterMiamiCF …The veteran goalkeeper played well when Drake Callender was rested and will continue on the squad …#MLS #Messi https://t.co/lwL02jw3Mi

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) January 11, 2025

Lionel Messi

The GOAT, Lionel Messi, looked sharp against San Miguelito on Sunday afternoon. Messi dazzled with some fancy footwork and elegant passes all along the pitch. Lionel has looked healthy and happy to get back at it with Miam. It’s a great sign to see him motivated and in great shape this preseason. If he can stay healthy, Inter Miami will have a memorable season, perhaps surpassing the accomplishments of the 2024 campaign.

Game ends 3-1 as #InterMiamiCF & #Messi survive a physical battle in Panama 🇵🇦…#Messi looked sharp & that’s all that matters right now… pic.twitter.com/qkPzuJv8Gk

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 3, 2025

Sporting San Miguelito was not a high-caliber opponent for Inter Miami CF,  but they did provide the Herons an opportunity to gain confidence and score some goals from some nice sequences. The Herons’ next opponent will be Olimpia in Honduras on Saturday, February 8 at 8 pm Eastern Time.

Wondering where to watch every preseason match? 👀📺

Check here for tune-in info: https://t.co/7Na0fRpxGJ pic.twitter.com/oHiGKomQog

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 29, 2025