Inter Miami is facing a precarious situation, risking its place in the MLS East playoff slot after suffering a 1-4 defeat to Philadelphia Union on the morning of June 25 (Hanoi time).
Despite Robert Taylor scoring the only goal for Inter Miami in the 50th minute, David Beckham's team remains at the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference (Eastern Conference) of the MLS, having lost 13 out of 18 games. Inter Miami currently sits 11 points behind the 9th ranked team, DC United, led by coach Wayne Rooney. This position determines the final playoff slot in the MLS.
Although Inter Miami has played two games fewer than its competitors, the US media is concerned about the club's ability to turn the season around in upcoming matches against Austin and Columbus Crew in early July.
Adding to the challenges, Lionel Messi has yet to make his debut for Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar is expected to feature in the club's friendly match against Cruz Azul (Mexico) on July 21. Messi recently attended a match in Argentina to express gratitude to his former teammate Maxi Rodriguez and is currently taking a break after a demanding season. Messi's delayed arrival complicates Inter Miami's chances of salvaging their current bleak season.
Messi's presence will undoubtedly strengthen Inter Miami's attack. The team has scored a mere 17 goals in 18 games, the lowest tally in the MLS. Prior to his move to the US, Messi scored 21 goals and provided 20 assists for PSG in all competitions during the 2022/23 season.
Manager David Beckham's team is making efforts to revamp the squad for future title contention. On June 24, Inter Miami successfully secured the signing of Sergio Busquets on a free transfer. However, the timing of Busquets' debut in the US is still uncertain. On the coaching front, Tata Martino, who previously coached both Messi and Busquets at Barcelona, is in the final stages of negotiations to take over as Inter Miami's coach.
Inter Miami faces a challenging road ahead as they aim to climb up the standings and secure a spot in the MLS playoffs. The arrival of Messi and the potential addition of Martino could provide the much-needed boost to rejuvenate the team and turn their season around.
