Inside Inter Miami: The highs and lows for Inter Miami, still without Messi
The club looked great in a 3-1 victory over Pumas that clinched Miami a spot in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals even without injured star Lionel Messi.
But only four days later, all that positivity disappeared in another lopsided, ugly, 4-1 loss to Orlando City upon the team's return to MLS league play.
Inter Miami looked like two different teams.
On the latest episode of Inside Inter Miami, we dive into why this team seems to diverge so drastically when it comes to playing MLS games as opposed to all-or-nothing tournament matches.
We also look at Yannick Bright's return and re-emergence as a starter with reactions from Maxi Falcon and Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
We also discuss when we could see Messi back on the field as he continues to recover from what's been described as a mild hamstring injury.
And we look ahead to the team's upcoming match against the cellar-dwelling, yet defending MLS Cup champion L.A. Galaxy this Saturday.
Remember, you can watch this show on YouTube and on our site at miamiherald.com. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple podcasts, and most other platforms where you listen to your pods. Thank you for watching and listening, and enjoy!
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Miami Herald
36 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Lionel Messi expected back for Inter Miami vs. L.A. Galaxy game Saturday
Lionel Messi is expected to return to the Inter Miami lineup for Saturday's home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy after missing two games due to injury, according to coach Javier Mascherano. He comes back just as the team embarks on a critical week and tries to rebound from a humbling 4-1 loss to Orlando City last weekend. Following the Galaxy game, Inter Miami plays Mexican club Tigres on Wednesday in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal. Messi injured his hamstring on August 2 in the first half of Miami's win over Necaxa in the Leagues Cup. He sat out the 3-1 win against Pumas and the Orlando game. 'Leo is fine. He's been training with the team since Wednesday,' Mascherano said before training Friday morning. 'Barring anything strange [happening Friday], he should make the squad for Saturday's match.' Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who missed a few days of practice this week while getting his visa paperwork finalized, returned to training on Friday and will be available, as well. Messi, the reigning league MVP, leads the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 goals and nine assists in 18 games. He and his teammates are looking to climb in the league standings after slipping to sixth place in the East with 11 games remaining. They will be favored at home against the defending MLS Cup champion Galaxy, which plummeted to last place this season with the league's worst record (three wins, 15 losses and seven ties). Los Angeles has given up 52 goals through 25 games, the worst defensive record in the league. The Galaxy is winless in 15 road games and coming off a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Galaxy star Riqui Puig has been out all season with a knee injury, but the roster includes high quality players such as Marco Reus, Edwin Cerrillo and Diego Fagundez. Despite L.A.'s league record, Mascherano said his team cannot afford to take the game lightly. The Galaxy managed to advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals by scoring 10 goals through its three group games, and coach Greg Vanney said that was proof that the team was finally re-finding its form. 'For me, they're a team in which the MLS standings don't reflect their quality, especially the quality of their players,' Mascherano said. 'The reality is that maybe they didn't start the season well because of injuries and different situations. But they've improved a lot over the last few months.' Defender Gonzalo Lujan agreed: 'We are coming from a tough loss, a result we did not expect. To have a long week helped us to prepare for this upcoming game and I think we'll be ready. More than the results, we know it will be a tough opponent. We have to be more focused from the start and not allow any early goals.' Inter Miami may be strengthening its defense in the coming week, before the MLS transfer window closes. The club on Thursday acquired a 2025 International Roster Slot from Toronto FC in exchange for $175,000 in General Allocation Money. Argentine defender Gonzalo Piovi, who plays for Mexican club Cruz Azul, is in negotiations with Inter Miami about a transfer, according to multiple published reports. 'Until the last day of the window, we will see options,' said Mascherano, who would not mention any names. 'We have a fairly complete roster for the final three months and should be fine. Maybe in a few positions we could use reinforcements. I don't like to bring players just to bring players.' Mascherano shared some insight into the transfer of Redondo to Spanish club Elche, which is owned by Redondo's agent Christian Bragarnik, an Argentinean businessman. The coach said once the club signed De Paul, Redondo realized that would limit his playing time and he asked to be moved. Although it has not been announced, a club source confirmed that goalkeeper Drake Callender, the team co-captain and a star in 2023 and 2024, was traded to Charlotte FC. He has played only three games this season as he dealt with injuries and sports hernia surgery. 'It is not concrete, but if it comes to be, we have to understand that Drake's contract expires at the end of this season, so if there is a time for the club to negotiate a move, it had to be now,' Mascherano said. 'If not, in December he becomes a free agent. Unfortunately, we could not count on him these seven month, other than the Dallas game, but otherwise, he was unavailable due to injuries. He and the club were searching for a solution to his situation. He is an important figure in this team's short history, one of the captains, but he had not reached an agreement for a new contract with the club, and they had to make the move.'
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Tennis star Naomi Osaka sells plush LA pad to Nick and Vanessa Lachey for $7.95M — three years after buying it from them for $6.3M
Naomi Osaka is returning her keys. The four-time Grand Slam champion has sold her LA residence back to Nick and Vanessa Lachey for $7.95 million — roughly three years after buying the San Fernando Valley spread from the celebrity couple for $6.3 million. The transaction took place off-market, though records show the Tarzana home was quietly priced at $8.295 million in the local multiple listings service, according to the Wall Street Journal. Advertisement 15 Naomi Osaka has sold her Los Angeles home back to former owners Nick and Vanessa Lachey for $7.95 million. Neue Focus 15 Osaka sold the San Fernando Valley spread three years after buying it from them for $6.3 million. Neue Focus 15 The property, which wasn't publicly listed had an MLS asking price of $8.295 million. Neue Focus Advertisement During her ownership, Osaka undertook a substantial renovation, reworking the interiors and adding a separate structure that now houses a full gym and a spa-like recovery suite. The fitness facility features neon-lit motivational slogans, while the recovery area is outfitted with a sauna, cold plunge, steam room and massage table. Her signature bear-and-flower logo is embedded in the gym floor. 15 The Tarzana home spans about half an acre and features an outdoor pool, hot tub, and pickleball court. Neue Focus 15 The home occupies nearly 7,000 square feet. Neue Focus Advertisement 15 A billiards room. Neue Focus 15 Osaka renovated the interior and added a separate gym and 'recovery center' with a sauna, cold plunge, steam room, and massage table, along with neon motivational signs and her bear-and-flower logo on the gym floor. Neue Focus 15 The Lacheys, known for their roles as hosts of Netflix's 'Love Is Blind' and Nick's tenure in 98 Degrees, originally bought the home in 2020 for about $5 million before selling it to Osaka in 2021. Image Press Agency/NurPhoto / Shutterstock 15 Naomi Osaka. David Kirouac-Imagn Images Advertisement Situated on roughly half an acre, the compound includes a pool, hot tub and pickleball court, but — ironically — no tennis court. The main house offers five bedrooms, views of the surrounding mountains, and an open kitchen with a dedicated dining island. Amy Snider of Compass held the listing. The Lacheys, known for hosting Netflix's 'Love Is Blind' and, in Nick's case, for his role in boy band 98 Degrees, originally acquired the property in 2020 for about $5 million before selling it to Osaka the following year. 15 Tarzana, once a ranch owned by 'Tarzan' author Edgar Rice Burroughs, is known for its upscale homes, golf courses, and country clubs, with a median home sale price of $1.3 million in July. Neue Focus 15 The primary suite. Neue Focus 15 An ensuite bathroom. Neue Focus 15 One of five bedrooms. Neue Focus 15 A second bedroom. Neue Focus Advertisement 15 One of nine bathrooms. Neue Focus They recently listed another San Fernando Valley home, in nearby Encino, for $7.495 million. Tarzana, named to honor a former ranch that belonged to 'Tarzan' author Edgar Rice Burroughs, remains a sought-after enclave of golf courses, country clubs and high-end housing. In July, the median sale price there was $1.3 million, according to Redfin. Advertisement Osaka, who has captured two U.S. Open and two Australian Open titles, returned to professional play in January after giving birth to her daughter. This year, she exited in the first round of the French Open and reached the final of the Canadian Open —before falling to Victoria Mboko.
UPI
4 hours ago
- UPI
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi set to return vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
1 of 5 | Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scored 18 goals in 18 MLS matches this season. File Photo by Larry Marano/UPI | License Photo Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Lionel Messi is expected to return to the field Saturday for Inter Miami after a two-game injury absence, Herons coach Javier Mascherano told reporters Friday. Messi hurt his right leg in the eighth minute of a Leagues Cup win over Necaxa on Aug. 2 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He missed the Herons' Group stage finale against Pumas, a 3-1 win, and an MLS match against Orlando City, a 4-1 loss. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to training earlier this week. "Leo is fine," Mascherano said. "He's been with the team since Wednesday. We believe that if nothing unusual happens, he'll be called up for tomorrow's game." The Herons (12-5-6) will host the Los Angeles Galaxy (3-15-7) in an MLS match Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. They sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, nine points behind the first-place Philadelphia Union (15-5-6) and two points behind Orlando City SC (12-6-8) and the Columbus Crew (12-5-8). The Galaxy, who sit in last place in the Western Conference, have the worst record in MLS. They also allowed a league-high 52 goals through 25 league matches. Messi remains tied with Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge for the most goals (18) in MLS. His nine assists are the eighth-most in the league. Messi's 1.04 goals per 90 minutes are the most among players who appeared in at least 15 matches this season. He also leads the league with 1.44 goals plus assists per 90 minutes. The Herons and Galaxy will play at 7:30 p.m. EDT at Chase Stadium.
