What Is Inter Miami's Best Starting XI Heading Into the Playoffs?
Get some snacks! Let's break it down.
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
Hey everyone! I hope you all are sober-minded after celebrating Inter Miami’s Supporter’s Shield win and the important away victory against Toronto FC.
As the MLS regular season ends, it’s time to turn our attention to the MLS Cup playoffs.
With Miami locked into the number one spot in the East, the Herons will have a home-pitch advantage throughout the playoffs.
However, the question that’s been on my mind lately could be the difference between MLS Cup glory or disappointment:
What does Inter Miami’s strongest starting eleven look like?
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
During most of the regular season, mainly due to injuries and international games, Miami has yet to play their strongest starting eleven consistently.
Thankfully, with David Martinez close to full fitness, the Herons will have the luxury of rolling out an ideal starting lineup when they kick off their quest for the MLS Cup on October 25th.
The lineups I’m about to show you below are based on three main criteria:
Is it defensively sound?
Can the midfield cover enough ground?
Will the attack get enough support?
Based on these three questions, I’ve come up with two starting elevens that could help solve many issues plaguing Inter Miami during the regular season.
Both these lineups will be based on Miami using a 3-5-2, or some variation.
Attacking Line
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
The attacking front line is quite simple.
Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi are, arguably, the most potent attacking duo in MLS this year.
The pair have a combined G/A of 35 goals and 17 assists during the regular season. It would be foolish for Tata Martino and his coaching staff to start anyone else but them up top.
Again, with the foundation that Miami could be using a 5-3-2 in the playoffs, this formation gives the Herons numbers in the back for defensive stability while largely absolving Messi from his defensive duties in the front.
Midfield Line
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami’s roster has a good mix of young players, and ex-European superstars that are getting up there in age.
A significant issue for Miami, especially in their losses, was being outpaced during opposition transitions.
To tackle this concern during the playoffs, here are some midfield combinations that Tata’s coaching staff could go with:
On the left, is a more defensive-minded trio of Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, and Federico Redondo. Though the latter two were criticized (specifically Busquets) for being perceived as ‘slow’, Redondo is an imposing physical presence with excellent ball-playing abilities and a relentless engine.
Playing the young Argentine alongside Bright who has an incredible work rate and phenomenal defensive positioning and awareness….:
…next to Busquets who is one of the best deep-lying playmakers of his generation will give this specific trio a good balance of youth, energy, experience, and progressive ball-playing ability.
Conversely, if Busquets drops back as a defender, and MLS’ U22 Player of the Year Diego Gomez takes his place in the middle, Miami will have a third attacking option in midfield to link up with the attacking line of Messi and Suarez.
This would be my ideal first choice, considering that Gomez does have the stamina and attacking capabilities to play both ends of the field:
video credit: Apple TV
There is also the option of bringing in Julian Gressel, who has great set-piece delivery and an eye for a final pass, Matias Rojas, who has done exceptional in his 14 matches for Miami so far, David Ruiz, or Benjamin Cremaschi.
The options are truly unlimited for Miami in this regard.
Either way, the main talking point surrounding this discussion is just how important Bright is to Miami’s midfield.
Defensive Line
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
This sect of the lineup is the most critical area of the field that Miami needs to get right.
The team’s Achilles heel has largely been their tendency to concede too many goals.
Although the squad recently earned a clean sheet in their 1-0 win against Toronto, heading into the playoffs, Tata and his coaching staff must get the right center-back trio correct.
Before we get there, let’s talk about the full-backs. Nothing controversial here, it should (and likely will be) Jordi Alba on the left and Marcelo ‘Chelo’ Weigandt on the right.
As for the central defenders, here are the two options:
As stated earlier, David Martinez is close to full fitness.
With Inter Miami’s coaching staff preferring a left-footed center half on the left, Martinez (after Messi and Suarez) will be one of the first names written down on the team sheet.
Noah Allen is also an option there, considering his solid performances as of late.
As for the central and right center backs, either Busquets, Tomas Avilés, or Ian Fray could slot in comfortably.
I know, I may get booed for having ‘Busi’ back there but, hear me out!
Looking at his advanced stats on fbref, Busquets has quietly impressed as a central defender:
Pushing the ex-Barcelona man back a line has allowed the 36-year-old to dictate the tempo from an even deeper position than he would’ve in the midfield.
Looking at the advanced metrics, Busquets is in the 90th percentile (!) in several categories as a defender, such as blocks, tackles, interceptions, progressive passes, and shot-creating attempts.
Although the World Cup winner is not the quickest or most physically imposing, it may be worth playing him alongside a younger defender like Fray, Martinez, or Avilés to hide his lack of pace.
In return, Miami will get a positionally aware, ball-playing center half that can start and launch attacks from deep.
Goalkeeping
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
Though I didn’t mention it earlier, yes, Drake Callender is starting in goal. :)
The Strongest Starting Eleven:
Thanks for reading!
Great article Alex!
NGL, l LOL when you wrote it would be foolish for Tata Martino to...... Tata is gonna do what he's gonna do.
I like your starting 11. Busquets should be a center back, not a mid fielder.