Inter Miami holds meetings, intense practices to right ship ahead of Philadelphia clash
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates headed to Philadelphia on Friday with a palpable sense of urgency to defeat the first-place Union, fueled, in part, by a players-only meeting Sunday night after the team's 3-0 home loss to Orlando City.
Despite its star-studded lineup and lofty preseason expectations, the team has slipped to sixth place in the East, is winless in six of its past seven games, and has conceded 20 goals during that stretch.
Defender Ian Fray said before training Friday morning that the team's veteran stars spoke up at the meeting, and one result has been increased intensity at practice all week.
'It's been rough stretch of games that we're not used to, but this week has been the hardest week of training I think we've had all season, and the guys have really come together,' Fray said.
'The intensity has been high, the coaches made that change in practice, where we're really working extra hard and the players taking the accountability to put in the extra work. We're ready for this game.'
Last Memorial Day Weekend, Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets did not travel for the road game at Vancouver, choosing to stay home and watch their sons play in the club-sponsored Dreams Cup youth tournament. This time, it's a different story.
'I knew about last year, but obviously, this year we are at a moment where we need them, so they will travel,' coach Javier Mascherano said.
Fray added that every player is dialed in and has a strong desire to get out of this funk.
'We're so used to winning all the time, and now we get the stretch of losing, so it was about putting in the extra work, everyone knows we have to do that,' he said. 'We all know we're not in a good moment and we have players here that maybe know how to turn things like this around.'
Fray said that goalkeeper Oscar Ustari has been one of the team's most vocal leaders during this stretch.
Mascherano said having the luxury of a full week of practice between games allowed the coaching staff to work the players longer and harder to try to correct weaknesses, especially on the defensive side.
'We have taken advantage of this week to work on a lot of things that we have to improve on, and It has been very productive, but it is not something different from what we have been doing,' Mascherano said.
'We took advantage of the long week to have more intense and longer training. We have focused on regaining confidence. The team has lost confidence, and the sport has an emotional side to it. You can train a lot but in the end it's how you face each game. We've been speaking with the players and stressing that turning things around is in our hands.'
In addition to the players' meeting, Mascherano and his staff held team meetings and individual conversations with players to get the group back on track. The team was unbeaten in its first 14 games under Mascherano, including a 2-1 win at home against Philadelphia on March 29.
'As a coaching staff, we need to know what they players are thinking and feeling,' Mascherano said. 'For us to help them evolve, we need to know those things.'
He added that club management has given him full support and has not interfered with his coaching.
Inter Miami has 22 points through 13 games and trails the Union by seven points; but Miami has a game in hand and three games during the next seven days, so this is a critical stretch for the team to climb back up the standings.
After Philadelphia, Miami plays back-to-back games at home on Wednesday against last-place Montreal (1-9-4) and on Saturday against third-place Columbus Crew (7-1-6), which Miami beat 1-0 on the road in April.
'[The Union] is in first place, we haven't been in a good moment, so this is the perfect opportunity to show everybody why we're still the best team in the league,' Fray said. 'This game is set up perfectly for us to show everyone we're still Inter Miami.'
In addition to getting back to the top of the East, Miami is motivated to get back in good form for the upcoming Club World Cup. The team will take a month-long break from MLS to play in the group stage of the tournament.
Miami plays in the opening match June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium against Egyptian club Al Ahly, then heads to Atlanta for a June 19 game against Portuguese club Porto and then back to Hard Rock for a June 23 game against Brazilian club Palmeiras.
FIFA is allowing teams to add players for the tournament. Mascherano said he has spoken to club officials about where the team needs help, and now it is up to them if they want to add reinforcements.
He also is eager for Messi to sign a contract extension, as that will add stability for the long-range plans and give the fan base reason for optimism.
'Obviously, as a coach, I want him to renew his contract as soon as possible and I hope the news can be announced as soon as possible, above all for the peace of mind of the fans, and the peace of mind of everyone around the club,' Mascherano said. 'I'm not the one who has to deliver it or comment on it. I am not involved in the negotiations.'
How to Watch: Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Subaru Park and fans can watch on Apple TV MLS Season Pass.
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