Fans aligned out of Independence Park more than two hours before the 16 champions champions of the Inter Miami champions with Cavalier SC in the hope of taking a look at Lionel Messi during a 2-0 victory (4-0 together) so that Miami progresses the quarterfinals where Los Angeles CC will face.
Fans had to wait more than expected, but when their heating bib was removed to the songs of “Messi, Messi, Messi” to replace Luis Suarez in the 52nd minute, the stadium exploded in cheers when Messi obtained his first game since February 25 against the game of the Sporting Kansas champions. Messi would make it worthwhile, waiting for the detention time with the final kick of the game to a cherry in addition to the progress and continuing his run of annotations or helping in the five appearances for the herons in all competitions this season.
During that time, Miami was able to win three consecutive games scoring seven goals and only allowing one to have shown that they have strengthened in general even when Messi does not play. But with a revenge game during the weekend they will face an Atlanta United team that took them out of the MLS Cup playoffs in the first round last season, playing Messi here will help knock out a little oxide before Sunday before he then leaves international service with Argentina for the World Cup classification.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring with a powerful ending from the penalty spot after Tadeo Allende received a foul in the 37th minute, giving Miami a more important goal to keep this clash away.
An undefeated beginning continues under the new manager Javier Mascherano even without his talisman for three of those matches. The team was lost in two games due to load management, but returned to the bank during the weekend in front of Charlotte FC.
Although Miami fell to 10 men in that game, they could continue in the first half, so it ended up being used and did the same with Cavalier in Jamaica. It was a slow beginning for the game, since the heavy rains at the beginning of the day created one less than ideal, but Miami could obtain their first game through Suarez for an advantage that would not give it.
While it is impressive to see the victories, it is also impressive that this Miami team has only allowed four goals in seven games in all competitions with part of that due to Noah Allen’s change from the left back to become a back center. Able to raise the ball through the countryside, Allen has been able to help boost the rhythm in the attack, while also a strong presence in defense balance responsibilities.
When Messi, Suárez and Sergio Busquets entered, they also rested after having been very inclined during their absence. It can be short break for the duo, but in a long season in which Miami participates in three competitions outside the league, any time when players can rest will contribute great help. His depth received a blow with David Ruiz collecting an injury only 15 minutes, but with the international rest that is coming, if not too severe, he will have time to recover.
For now, the pressure is in other teams to demonstrate that they can stop herons as even in adverse conditions, they are doing the job. Only time will say if they can maintain this rhythm, but after establishing a record of seasonal points of a single season of the MLS with 74 points last season, it is already clear that this is a special group, so if they can take things from there, multiple trophies will be in their future.
