MLS
Inter Miami, comeback kings
In all the team’s five consecutive victories, they started off losing. In Saturday’s game against Montreal, they were two goals behind by the half hour.
Whether it’s down to misfortune, a sluggish approach starting games or other issues, Inter Miami is being forced to row against the tide every week in MLS. Tata Martino’s team have won the last five games in a row but in each of them, they found themselves trailing and forced to bounce back.
Inter Miami trailing in all of their last five games
- Week 12 Montreal 2-3 Inter Miami (conceded min.22 and min.32)
- Week 11 Inter Miami 6-2 New York Red Bulls (conceded min.30)
- Week 10 New England Revolution 1-4 Inter Miami (conceded min.1)
- Week 9 Inter Miami 3-1 Nashville (conceded min.2)
- Week 8 Kansas City 2-3 Inter Miami (conceded min.6)
Inter Miami, slow starters
In each of the last five matches, the Florida franchise conceded at least one goal in the first half and ended up reversing the result. Last night, Montreal were 2-0 up only for Miami to respond with goals from Matías Rojas, Luis Suárez and Benja Cremaschi. The result means the Herons have taken 15 points out of a possible 15 and sit top of the Eastern Conference on 27 points.
But it’s not an isolated issue limited to recent matches. Inter Miami’s tendency to concede first has been a problem since the season started. In the 12 MLS games played so far, Martino’s team have gone behind in nine of them. These include: Los Angeles Galaxy in Week 1 (1-1), Montreal in Week 3 (2-3), DC United in Week 4 (1-3) and Colorado Rapids in Week 7 (2-2).
That’s a worrying trend for the Argentine coach and the only positive that can be taken from it is that his team has almost always responded. In only one of those games, Inter Miami have not been able to turn the tables - losing to Montreal in Week 3 while they were able to salvage a point in two of them: the draws against the Galaxy and Colorado.
Messi, Suárez and company have demonstrated time and time again the experience they possess when it comes to managing an adverse score. On the other hand, the offensive potential of the Florida team forces rivals to score more than one or two goals if they want to win the game against a team that finds the goal very easily.
Inter Miami are by far the most prolific scorers in the Eastern Conference with 35 goals in 12 games - almost an average of three goals per game. No team has scored as many goals in the entire MLS this campaign.
Miami’s defense, the pending issue
Inter Miami has been significantly strengthened in all lines, but especially in defense. Tata Martino has almost completely restructured the defense compared to last season. Although while it seems a more solid line, the team continues to concede too many goals and too early which means they have to chase most of the games they play.
With several players of enormous potential who are yet to adapt, it is likely that as the months go by we will see a defensive system that is much more reliable when it comes to keeping its rivals at bay. A large part of the chances of winning the MLS depends on the growth of the team at the back to avoid having to resort to comebacks so frequently.
Messi and Co. are next in action on Wednesday when they are guests of Orlando City at Inter&Co stadium on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.. Kick-off for the Week 13 clash is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.