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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Forbes
‘Most Successful Ever' Team Al Ahly Gets Set For FIFA Club World Cup
Egypt's Al Ahly has win 45 domestic league titles. Spanish coach José Riveiro is under no illusions. In most roles, winning back-to-back league titles, two domestic honors, a couple of continental crowns, four consecutive Super Cups, and an African-Asian-Pacific trophy represents more than enough credit in the bank—especially within three years. But it's a little different at the Egyptian superteam Al Ahly. A significant portion of Egypt's soccer fan population supports the Red Devils (not to be muddled with Manchester United), which carries an expectation to win, win, and win. It's hard to dispute that 15-time European Cup champion Real Madrid is the most successful club in global soccer. Yet, by the quantity of silverware, Al-Ahly is out in front; its official website exhibits an unparalleled 155 trophies. Marcel Koller has lived it. Despite winning the first mentioned haul of prizes between September 2022 and April 2025, he was out of a job following Al Ahly's exit from Africa's version of the Champions League at the semifinal stage this season just finished. So, his replacement, Riveiro, has an exacting task on his hands, one of which is turning a few heads at the Club World Cup, where Al-Ahly will, on this occasion, be a small fish in a big pond. The Egyptians kick off the expanded tournament against Lionel Messi-fronted Inter Miami this June 14 (in the United States)—a game crucial to FIFA. Having negotiated a reported €877 million ($1 billion)—also its prize money—deal with broadcaster DAZN, the governing body now wants as much revenue as possible from sponsorships and gate receipts. It's relying on lots of eyeballs—especially because DAZN's basic coverage of the aspirational competition is free to view. However, early indications are the show's pull is weaker than FIFA hoped, with ticket prices tumbling and the prospect of thousands of empty seats for the opening fixture. There's little doubt the president, Gianni Infantino, wanted Cristiano Ronaldo's magnetism to push things along, but the Portuguese isn't eyeing an appearance. FIFA is swimming against the tide, and the Inter Miami-Al Ahly spectacle will hint at what's to come. The complexly designed trophy will be given to the best team on July 13, a month or so before next ... More season begins in earnest. All the same, an impressive performance from Al-Ahly would start the competition in style. For some big hitters touching down in the U.S., the Club World Cup is inconvenient after a long season. For a team like Al Ahly, it's a golden ticket to test its might against the very best. Notwithstanding FIFA's €219 million ($250 million) solidarity payout to clubs worldwide, the typically strong European names will pocket more from participating in the show than sides from other confederations. Still, the bonuses will bolster an already strong Al Ahly in Egypt. Indeed, Al-Ahly has a financial leg-up over competitors back home. With social media support rivaling most Premier League big shots, it also operates as a general sports entity—with basketball, handball, and other teams part of the brand—and can draw healthy income from high-end club membership fees. Incidentally, Manchester City star Omar Marmoush began his career at another Egyptian club, Wadi Degla, which also has the ubiquitous sports and leisure model built in. Naturally, Al-Ahly has the pick of quality players. Ex-Aston Villa forward Mahmoud Trézéguet is among the squad for the matches ahead, while Emam Ashour scores an impressive number of goals from midfield. But to say Al-Ahly's dominance is all you need to know about Egyptian soccer goes wide of the mark. The Cairo giant, established as a counter to British colonial rule in 1907, is a rival to Zamalek, with the pair cooking up one of the most ferocious soccer derbies anywhere. And in recent times, Pyramids FC—bought and rebranded as such by Turki Al-Sheikh seven years ago—has shaken up the natural order a little. All told, how Al Ahly fares at the Club World Cup won't have much bearing in North Africa. It will remain the force in a country whose leagues include state or privately-owned sides with virtually no fanbases. Instead, the national scene is arguably the main talking point from here on in. There's criticism that Egypt's football association isn't doing enough for young talents soon to lead the next generation—this from a land that boasts Liverpool idol Mohamed Salah. As for Al Ahly, even going far in the Club World Cup may be up there with some of the many achievements from its gold-plated 118-year history.
Miami Herald
17 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Amid injuries and uncertainty, Inter Miami's Club World Cup debut fast approaches
By the time the first official FIFA Club World Cup practice began Monday morning, it was already 90 degrees on Inter Miami's practice pitch. Even without key players Lionel Messi, Fafa Picault, and Telasco Segovia — who are all out of the country on international fixtures for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches — the men in pink got down to business quickly, running shooting and passing drills. Fans are waiting anxiously for Inter Miami's first stint in the Club World Cup, which takes place Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. The team will open the tournament against Egyptian club Al Ahly, but it's a difficult bet to make on how Miami will fare in the tournament. The team had a particularly treacherous May, losing MLS matches to Minnesota and Orlando and drawing San Jose and Philadelphia. By the end of the month, the team had been mocked mercilessly on social media, and fans were calling for new head coach Javier Mascherano's firing. Before their games versus Montreal and Columbus, Miami had dropped to sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings — a far cry from their high ride at the same time in 2024. But with the Club World Cup fast approaching, the team seemed to turn a corner, blowing out both Montreal and Columbus, 4-2 and 5-1, respectively, to end the month. Once the rest of the star-studded roster returns, things could be looking up for Miami entering the tournament. Except many key players still appear to be down for the count. Star left back Jordi Alba and center back Gonzalo Luján were not present at the first official Club World Cup practice. Both sustained unspecified muscle injuries during the team's win over Montreal and have yet to return. Similarly, midfielder Yannick Bright, who suffered a hamstring injury during the team's match versus Philadelphia was off training and rehabbing to the side with fellow midfielder David Ruiz. Ruiz sustained an injury early in the season and has been out since March. Both midfielders spent the hot, Monday morning practice working on cardio and agility, but notably did not work with the ball or the rest of the team on any shooting or passing drills. In happier news for Inter Miami fans, both goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who just signed a contract extension with the team through 2026, and 20-year-old center back Tomas Aviles were back training with the team Monday morning following injuries which took them off the roster in mid-May. They looked to be in top form – Aviles worked through all of practice with the majority of the team on the pitch, while Ustari kept ball after ball out of the net during drills with fellow goalkeepers Rocco Ríos Novo and Will Yarbrough. But with a crucial week for the team ahead, it's ultimately uncertain who will take the field versus Al Ahly on Saturday. Will Ustari's and Aviles' return to practice keep them in good shape for the match? How will Messi, Picault, and Segovia, alongside rising young stars Benjamin Cremaschi and Santiago Morales, fare during their time abroad? Only time will tell.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
FIFA's Club World Cup is a security test for Miami. Will it pass?
When the FIFA Club World Cup tournament kicks off on June 14 with a match between Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly, the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will be doing more than just hosting a soccer match. It will be showing the world that Miami has learned from last year's Copa America security failures, and that it's prepared to host World Cup games in 2026. The Club World Cup is the first big security test since last year's mayhem at the Copa America final turned Miami into an international spectacle. Thousands of fans — including those without tickets — stormed the gates to watch the final game between Argentina and Colombia. Dozens were arrested, 55 others were ejected and the game was delayed by over an hour. And some ticketed fans who paid thousands of dollars to attend were left unable to watch the game. The security breach was more than a logistical disaster. It was a public safety failure. And it was a hard lesson. An after-action report by Miami-Dade County, first reported by ESPN, found inadequate intelligence gathering, insufficient security perimeters and a large number of unticketed fans created a perfect storm leading to a security nightmare. One obvious conclusion from the report: Law enforcement must monitor digital chatter ahead of the tournament to see if any plans are being made that could signal potential security challenges on game days. As reported by Axios, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office is taking steps to implement stronger security measures. A spokesperson told Axios 'A stronger screening process will be implemented along the exterior gates to manage the crowd, ensure public safety and hinder those without valid tickets from entering the campus.' There will also be 'significant law enforcement and security footprint in and around the stadium,' the sheriff's office said. It looks as though last year's failures are being addressed, and that's welcome news. A key factor to see if the new security measures do work will be crowd size. Earlier this week, though, The Athletic reported that ticket sales were slower than expected for the Club World Cup. If there are a lot of empty seats, maybe the Club World Cup won't provide the toughest stress test for security, but it does seem that law enforcement is learning from the past. The biggest takeaway from Copa America is the need for preparation well ahead of game day. Police must monitor social media platforms, communicate with fans and be prepared to make real-time adjustments if the crowd's size is beyond initial expectations. The responsibility will fall on FIFA — which is the international governing body for soccer — along with law enforcement and the Hard Rock Stadium. They cannot afford to be reactive again. The stadium has hosted other large crowds recently, a positive sign. Last fall, Miami welcomed Taylor Swift and 350,000 Swifties for three nights at the Hard Rock without incident. Of course, a series of Taylor Swift concerts is very different from a soccer tournament, but it's a good indication for the future that the concerts went well. All of this matters a lot when it comes to the World Cup. Being a host city for the World Cup is a privilege. With that privilege comes the responsibility of ensuring everyone is kept safe. The eyes of the world will be on us. Copa America was a wake up call. The Club World Cup could be the test we need to pass. In the end, we want fans who aren't calling foul but are yelling GOOOOAAALL! Click here to send the letter.
