Leagues Cup 2024: 3 Observations from Inter Miami's Clash vs. Tigres
MLS is priority?!
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami continue their Leagues Cup defense and move on to the Round of 32 despite a 2-1 loss to Tigres.
To be frank, though it is a major tournament (depending on who you ask), the Leagues Cup feels distant from the rest of Inter Miami’s season.
The Herons currently sit first in the Supporters Shield standings and are MLS Cup favorites.
While winning the Leagues Cup for a second time would be noteworthy, it seems as if many fans (and the team, though they won’t openly admit it) are exercising extreme caution as the tournament progresses:
The risk of injury is far too great for the Herons, especially as the team inches closer to the playoffs.
Let’s see how Tata Martino continues to manage the club as the games pile on. I suspect squad depth will be tested if Miami manages to get deep into the knockout rounds once again.
Here are three observations from IMCF’s loss vs. Tigres.
1.) Tomas Avilés, Please Watch Some Tape!
I know Toto Avilés has a high ceiling and all the physical attributes to become a top center-back. However, there are too many little mistakes that are preventing him from becoming a complete defender.
Take Tigres’ first goal.
Avilés could’ve cleared the ball to the halfway line and reset Miami’s defensive structure. Instead, he chose to loft the ball towards the right flank in the hopes that ‘Chelo’ Weigandt could dribble his way out of the back.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and Tigres scored off of Avilés’ misplaced clearance.
On the bright side, the goal didn’t necessarily come from the run of play, but rather from a fluke mistake. But, as Miami looks to challenge for more silverware, sloppy errors like that must be cleaned up.
2.) The Turf Was Bad and The Organizers Should Feel Bad
Do you all see those giant patches of grass that weren’t overlaid correctly? Yeah, I don’t think that is acceptable, for both teams.
3.) Focus On the League?
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
In the end, winning the Leagues Cup again would be the icing on the cake for Miami if they manage to win the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup. That’s a major If, though.
It would be great, but ultimately not the main goal for Miami this season.
As stated earlier, the Herons are first in the East and lead the Shield race.
Many fans I’ve spoken to feel similarly, most would rather Miami focus on the league and finishing off well as opposed to pushing hard in the Leagues Cup.
In the end, of course, the team will want to do well. As they get ready for the Round of 32, things will only start to heat up. It’s up to Tata and his coaching staff to capitalize on squad depth.
How’d you all feel about Miami’s match tonight? Let me know in the comments!
Considering we were missing Messi and Suarez, not bad at all. We didn’t need this game to advance and better not to risk injury imo.
I think winning THIS game in particular was not Tata's first priority given the long run and already being qualified; preventing injuries is. This is why Busquets did not start, and essential starters left the pitch early like Bright and Gressel. Martinez as well. I think this game was Tata's game to use different tactics and different players in different positions. And allow bench players play time as well. So let us see the bright side of this game and move on and hope to win it all.