Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi in the squad, were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals following a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday at Chase Stadium. In what was arguably the biggest match in Inter Miami`s history, they were comprehensively outplayed by the visiting side.
Vancouver`s Sebastian Berhalter delivered a standout performance, being the most influential player on the field despite Messi`s presence. Berhalter contributed a goal and two assists, playing a key role in securing Vancouver`s place in the final and sending the pre-tournament favorites, Inter Miami, home.
Initially, it seemed Miami might replicate a comeback, similar to their performance against Los Angeles FC in the quarter-finals. Jordi Alba opened the scoring just nine minutes in, giving Miami a 1-0 lead that they held until halftime.
However, Vancouver, under the guidance of Jesper Sorensen, made effective strategic adjustments during the break. In the second half, Berhalter quickly provided assists for goals scored by Brian White and Pedro Vite, with less than two minutes separating the two strikes.
At this critical juncture, the body language of some Inter Miami players clearly showed signs of defeat, suggesting they felt the task of overcoming the deficit was insurmountable, even with Messi on the field. Berhalter further solidified Vancouver`s victory by scoring his own goal in the 71st minute, highlighting recent vulnerabilities within the Miami team that appear to be significant flaws rather than minor cracks.
Despite Messi`s continued strong individual form this season, tallying eight goals and two assists across all competitions, the team faces challenges. Luis Suarez`s goalless streak has now reached eight games, and Tadeo Allende`s scoring output has also decreased. Furthermore, the team`s defense has reverted to conceding multiple goals frequently.
Following the recent departures of players like Leonardo Campana, Robert Taylor, and Julian Gressel, questions are being raised about the composition and balance of Inter Miami`s roster under Javier Mascherano.
With the Club World Cup approaching, Miami`s current form suggests they could struggle to advance beyond the group stage if improvements aren`t made quickly. In contrast, the Whitecaps showcased excellent teamwork and executed their game plan to perfection. While Berhalter may potentially miss the final due to accumulated yellow cards, the team under Sorensen has demonstrated the depth and tactical discipline to succeed.
This situation serves as a crucial lesson for Inter Miami. They must develop into a coherent team unit, less reliant solely on individual star power, particularly considering the eventual future when Messi departs. The current structure, seemingly built around “Messi and friends” rather than a unified team, paints a challenging picture for the future unless Javier Mascherano can implement significant changes. Without effective adjustments, they may face a difficult season.
Vancouver Whitecaps are now set to face either Cruz Azul or Tigres in the Concacaf Champions Cup final scheduled for June 1.
