'Show a little respect': Beckham slams Minnesota United after disrespectful posts following 4-1 win against Inter Miami

Time of India

12-05-2025

'Show some respect': Beckham responds to Minnesota's online taunt. Image credits: File(AP)
Heavy defeat sparks Beckham's reaction
Inter Miami
co-owner
David Beckham
publicly called out
Minnesota United
for a lack of sportsmanship after his side suffered a 4-1 defeat, the club's heaviest loss since
Lionel Messi
joined in July 2023. Following the match, Minnesota United's Instagram account posted a taunting caption: 'Pink Phony Club,' referencing both Inter Miami's pink kit and pop artist Chappell Roan's song Pink Pony Club. The post also included a screenshot showing Minnesota climbing above Miami in the
MLS
table.
Beckham, who played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and LA Galaxy before co-founding Inter Miami, commented under the post:
'Show a little respect, be elegant in triumph.'
Minnesota, managed by Welsh coach
Eric Ramsay
, followed up with another jab, posting a fan banner reading 'History over hype, culture over cash,' with 'hype' and 'cash' highlighted in pink. Beckham responded again:
'Respect over everything.'
Messi scores, but Miami exposed
Despite a goal from Messi in the 48th minute, his fifth of the season, Inter Miami were thoroughly outplayed. Minnesota capitalized on weak defending to score four times, exposing vulnerabilities that coach Javier Mascherano said his side had prepared for but failed to counter.
Miami played without forward Luis Suárez, who did not make the trip due to personal reasons, and without left winger Fafà Picault, who was ruled out shortly before the match due to illness. That left Messi floating in front of a five-man midfield without a natural striker.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after Carlos Harvey found him with a precise pass inside the box. On the stroke of halftime, Anthony Markanich made it 2-0 after a long throw from Michael Boxall was flicked on by Nicolas Romero.
Messi briefly gave Miami hope after linking up with Jordi Alba to make it 2-1, but an own goal from Marcelo Weigandt in the 68th minute and a clinical finish from Robin Lod two minutes later sealed the result.
Coach Mascherano admitted his side failed to execute their plan:
'It's a tough loss for us. We knew Minnesota could hurt us in this way, in transitions, on set pieces, and they hurt us in the way we had prepared for the game and that's what worries me the most,' Mascherano told reporters.
'If the players drop their levels, clearly the responsibility falls on me… All on me.'
Stats tell a different story, but issues run deep
Despite dominating 67% possession, outpassing Minnesota 723 to 262, and taking 10 shots to Minnesota's 8, Inter Miami failed to convert their control into goals. The result marks their fourth loss in five games across all competitions, during which they have conceded 14 goals.
The defensive fragility and lack of a traditional striker proved decisive. The team's recent 4-1 win over New York Red Bulls now looks like a temporary respite rather than a turning point.
Inter Miami, last year's Supporters' Shield winners, now sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with 21 points from 12 games (6 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses). They were also knocked out in the semi-finals of the
Concacaf Champions Cup
earlier this season.
Wider MLS context
Minnesota United's win lifts them above Inter Miami in the standings. They have been building a reputation under Eric Ramsay, and the performance against Miami adds weight to their campaign.
Elsewhere in the league, the New York Red Bulls avenged their MLS Cup final loss with a stunning 7-0 win over defending champions LA Galaxy, who now sit bottom of the Western Conference with only three points from 12 games.
In the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati lead the table following a 2-1 win over Austin. Columbus Crew remain unbeaten on the road after drawing 2-2 with Philadelphia Union, who dropped points late despite a goal from teenager Frankie Westfield.
Current Eastern Conference Top 4 Standings:
FC Cincinnati – 26 pts
Columbus Crew – 23 pts
Philadelphia Union – 22 pts
Inter Miami – 21 pts