Miami drop more points as season stutters

San Jose Earthquakes 3 – 3 Inter Miami

SAN JOSE, CA–Inter Miami’s poor run of form continued as they were held to a draw by San Jose, who exploited another poor defensive display from the Herons.

Scoring goals isn’t the problem for Inter, but conceding them is, as was proved here when they got things started inside the first minute.

A speculative looping cross from Jordi Alba was met by the head of the unmarked Max Falcon who found the top corner to stun the home crowd.

It was a dream start for Miami, but it barely lasted sixty seconds as they tried to play out from the back and got it all wrong.

Flush with success from scoring at the other end, Falcon played a terrible free kick to Inter keeper Oscar Ustari, who was immediately under pressure.

His poor ball out was easily collected, and before some had gotten comfortable in their seats, both teams were a goal to the good.

There’s not much worse than conceding a goal in this game, but conceding cheaply is particularly frustrating, and Javier Mascherano will be under no illusions that he must find a way to stop his team leaking goals of any kind.

San Jose recaptured the lead when they passed their way through the Inter defence, and a long-range effort from Beau Leroux found the net from distance.

It wasn’t Ustari’s best moment, and the keeper will feel as though he could have kept it out, but he would also expect more protection from the players in front of him, who were too easily bypassed by their opponents.

Miami turned the tables soon after when a glorious goal got them on level terms. A searching ball from Messi down the left for the galloping Alba, who crossed first time perfectly for Tadeo Allende to fire home and get his first goal in two months.

But the demons crept back in, and they were behind again before the half-time whistle was blown. Ian Harkes received the ball on the edge of the area and, without being challenged, was able to shoot and score to give his side the lead again.

Miami struggled to impose themselves, although they were creating chances. Benjamin Cremaschi should have done better when Messi found him in front of goal, but he fluffed his lines.

But they lack the cutting edge they once had, and they don’t have the same firepower to call upon from the bench when things aren’t working.

It’s understandable that Mascherano wants to experiment with different formations and trial players in alternative positions, but after such a poor run of form, it would be wiser to stick to the basics.

Telasco Segovia looked lost in an advanced position and needs to play deeper with more space to operate and create chances. Sergio Busquets is a quality player, but when playing a four-four-two formation doesn’t have the time to play, and he was closed down at every opportunity here.

But when Miami slips into their fast-paced attacking game, things start to change, and that’s what happened early in the second half.

A quick break found Messi running at the defence, and he fed the ball to substitute Baltasar Rodriguez, who crossed first time for Allende to get his second of the match.

Both sides pushed for a winner, but in truth, neither deserved it. Lots of goals make good entertainment, but in terms of quality, this game was sadly lacking.

Mascherano will have his work cut out now as he needs to lift his side to find some form and get some wins on the board, starting next time out against local rivals Orlando FC at Chase Stadium.