Inter Miami suffer defeat on the road

Minnesota United 4 – 1 Inter Miami

ST. PAUL, MN–Inter Miami were outmuscled and outthought as their defensive frailties were exposed by a ruthless Minnesota side that took their chances and deserved the win.

Minnesota were strong and physical in everything they did, and were full of running, making it hard for Lionel Messi and his side to settle.

Miami dominated the game in large parts and had the lion’s share of possession, but Minnesota closed them down quickly, gave them no time on the ball, and made it difficult for the Herons to play their natural game.

They were happy to sit back and let the away side have the ball, relying on a solid defensive line and the pace of their attack. And it was a strategy that worked.

Miami had been sent an early shot across the bow when they conceded a goal that was disallowed for offside, but they didn’t heed the warning and were caught out defensively a number of times.

They didn’t create many clear-cut chances but had plenty of the ball. Jordi Alba provided some good openings early on from the wing, but despite the excellent deliveries, nobody was there to take advantage, and Miami would live to regret the missed opportunities.

Minnesota were aggressive on the attack, and it forced the first goal when some good build-up play saw Bongokuhle Hlongwane slip through the defence and fire his side into the lead.

Miami looked shaken up and out of sorts, as opposed to the home side, who looked fired up and fresh.

And as halftime approached, some more poor defending saw Minnesota double their lead when Anthony Markanish latched onto a long throw-in. The flick on was too easy and exposed Miami and Oscar Ustari, who could do nothing to stop the goal.

Miami came out in the second half firing, and they got a goal back courtesy of Messi when he found the net with that trusty left foot. It gave the Herons a needed lift and they started to look the more likely side to score again as they forced the home side onto the back foot.

But they lacked the kind of penetration usually associated too their game. With Luis Suarez missing, they didn’t have an obvious number nine with Benjamin Cremaschi and Telasco Segovia supporting Messi in attack. Neither are prolific goal scorers nor fill the more typical centre forward role.

Leo Campana used to do that job well, whether starting the game or appearing off the bench, but he’s gone, and they haven’t replaced him, which is something Miami needs to consider.

And the home fans were soon celebrating when another set piece and flick on delivered a goal when Marcelo Weigandt headed into his own net when under some considerable pressure.

If Miami weren’t deflated at that point, they were two minutes later when Robin Lod fired home goal number four as Miami were given a lesson in finishing.

Having conceded most of the possession to the visitors, Minnesota were restricted to five shots on target throughout the match and managed to score four goals. That’s the kind of ruthlessness needed week in week out, and Miami needs to consider their options up front.

Suarez is still a class act on his day and his predatory instinct was sorely missed in this game, but his days are numbered, not unlike Messi, who are both in the twilight of their careers.

They may be here for another season, but Miami needs other goal-scoring options if and when the superstars are unavailable or injured.