In April 2024, Inter Miami CF were dominated by C.F. Monterrey in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. A year later, they completed a breathtaking comeback to eliminate LAFC and reach the semifinals of said tournament for the first time in club history.
What changed?
Well, even though they played a worse team this time around, this squad has continuously shown they can overcome adversity and manage pressure under the guidance of new head coach Javier Mascherano. And they had to do just that to be in the next round.
After losing 1-0 in the first leg, which was played in Los Angeles, Miami needed to win by one goal to force extra time and two goals to secure qualification. However, the second leg started in the worst way possible, because LAFC got an away goal in the first 10 minutes. This meant Inter Miami no longer had the chance to play extra time and was obliged to score three.
It’s not the first time the Herons have faced an uphill battle in recent memory. The most famous one is the decisive home game in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs last season versus Atlanta United FC. Inter Miami lost that match despite finishing first in the standings during the regular season. But this time was different.
Five months have passed, and just like that day against Atlanta, they needed a hero in the final moments to eliminate LAFC. Lionel Messi stepped up in front of 19,609 rowdy fans and, in the 84th minute, scored the penalty that sent them through. He also scored the first goal to start the comeback in a thunderous Chase Stadium.
“He keeps setting the path and guiding the new generations,” Mascherano said. “Even though he has won everything, until the last day he plays on a field, he’ll want to win and will do the impossible to win.”
Messi recorded a goal in the disappointing loss to Atlanta United as well, meaning the Argentinian star was as important as usual, even in defeat. He has never been the problem for Inter Miami, but it is a team sport.
On that note, this group has displayed tremendous intensity, grit, and a collective effort since the start of the 2025 campaign. So far, no matter what is thrown at them, these players respond in a positive way. I see character and resilience in their performances, last year I noticed desperation in similar situations, including the Monterrey and Atlanta matches.
“Without losing faith or hope, we put trust in the team and fought until the end, knowing that what this competition has is that every match is tough and you have to stay focused,” striker Luis Suarez explained after the victory over LAFC.
Besides the major win in the Concacaf Champions Cup, other examples include a last minute comeback while playing away versus Atlanta United and a win at home against Charlotte FC, even after having only 10 men throughout the entire second half. This team can never be counted out.
Now, Inter Miami is not only one of the last four teams in the biggest tournament an American club can play at the continental level, they’re the only undefeated team in MLS and third in the eastern conference standings with a game in hand.
Although LAFC is currently seventh in the western conference, and Mascherano’s men shouldn’t have been in such dire circumstances in the first place, no team can be overlooked. Despite having a difficult start to the year, Los Angeles Football Club still made it to the quarterfinals and have quality players like Denis Bouanga and Cengiz Ünder.
Also, Atlanta United ended the 2024 MLS regular season in ninth place before eliminating Inter Miami back in November. Again, any team can cause problems.
Of course there will be growing pains when there’s a relatively inexperienced manager in charge and many new players, Inter Miami’s last two draws in the MLS are part of that process. Yet, these first couple months with Mascherano have been better than an optimistic fan could’ve expected, and the upside is considerable.
“Where the technique, quality, and soccer don’t reach, the heart, desire and illusion must reach,” Mascherano stated.
In their eighth match of this MLS season, Inter Miami beat Columbus Crew, which were undefeated and first in their conference before this game. It was played last Saturday at Huntington Bank Field, home of the Cleveland Browns, with 60,614 fans in the stands. This feat broke Columbus Crew’s home match attendance record and is further evidence of Messi’s impact on soccer in the United States.
How Inter Miami fare against even better opposition is yet to be seen, especially with the FIFA Club World Cup around the corner. One thing is certain though, they got the chance to have the most successful season since the club was created, and have proven they are up for the challenge.
The South Florida team will travel north to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals on Thursday.
