Messi Magic and Dramatic Wins Await!
The Herons embarked on their season with a promising start, fueled by stellar performances from Robert Taylor and Diego Gomez that bridged a three-point deficit.
Despite prevailing concerns about fitness, injuries, and defensive resilience, Inter Miami soared to a triumphant beginning in the 2024 MLS season. Spearheaded by Lionel Messi, the team orchestrated a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, with Messi’s artistry instrumental in both goals. He crafted a sublime assist for Robert Taylor’s opener and orchestrated a seamless combination with Luis Suarez to set up Diego Gomez for the clincher.
However, amidst the jubilation, vulnerabilities were exposed, revealing areas for improvement that savvy opponents could exploit. Real Salt Lake, though falling short, posed significant challenges, emphasizing the need for continuous growth.
Nonetheless, the victory serves as a sturdy foundation for Inter Miami to build upon as they navigate the challenges ahead.
Here’s an insightful breakdown of how GOAL rates Inter Miami’s players from Chase Stadium:
Goalkeeper & Defense:
- Drake Callender (6/10): Maintained composure despite limited action, stepping up when needed with crucial saves.
- Jordi Alba (7/10): A dependable presence contributing to both attack and defense, showcasing his experience and versatility.
- Serhiy Kryvtsov (6/10): Displayed resilience amidst moments of uncertainty, demonstrating his reliability.
- Tomas Aviles (6/10): Showed resilience to recover from errors but highlighted areas for improvement, echoing concerns from preseason performances.
- DeAndre Yedlin (6/10): Endured a potential scare but otherwise maintained composure in an uneventful performance.
Midfield:
- Sergio Busquets (7/10): Dictated the tempo with his precise passing, albeit caught offside on one occasion.
- Diego Gomez (8/10): Exemplified relentless energy, coming close to scoring early and ultimately sealing the win with a crucial goal.
- Julian Gressel (5/10): Struggled to capitalize on opportunities and exhibited moments of inconsistency, underscoring room for growth despite his pedigree.
Attack:
- Robert Taylor (7/10): Benefited from fortune with his goal but aims to sustain his impressive form from the previous season.
- Luis Suarez (7/10): Contributed significantly, notably with his assist for the second goal, though lacking in pace.
- Lionel Messi (8/10): Masterminded both goals and lit up the game with flashes of brilliance, underscoring his enduring talent.
Subs & Manager:
- David Ruiz (6/10): Overcame an injury setback to inject fresh impetus into midfield.
- Jena Mota (6/10): Infused vigor into the attack upon entering the fray, albeit with limited impact.
- Noah Allen (6/10): Introduced to shore up the lead, finding reassurance in the team’s second goal.
Tata Martino (7/10): Navigated the team adeptly, though some felt substitutions came tardily, ultimately guiding the team to a promising start.