Messi, Inter Miami Left With Mountain to Climb vs. Vancouver

It has been just over three weeks since Inter Miami suffered their first defeat under Javier Mascherano, with the Herons losing 1-0 at Los Angeles FC in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, before conceding nine minutes into the second leg. However, they achieved a comeback for the ages in Florida, with Lionel Messi pulling one back before halftime, his compatriot Federico Redondo equalizing at the hour-mark, and Messi completing the remontada from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, thus confirming their spot in the final four.

Miami will be hoping that history repeats itself on Wednesday as they host Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. The first leg took place on Thursday night, with Vancouver mounting an early lead as Pedro Vite chipped in a delightful cross for Brian White to head home. For the first time under Mascherano, Miami entered halftime trailing. Whilst Miami attempted to fight back, forcing two goalkeeper saves from their nine shots, they failed to generate a single big chance. They grew increasingly frustrated with Vancouver’s physically imposing style of defending, with Jesper Sorensen’s side dealing with their set-pieces with ease and subduing their attacking onslaughts. Despite having 31% possession, Vancouver were all too comfortable to sit back, remain organized, and let Miami tire themselves out. And in the 85th minute, substitute Jayden Nelson rolled a tempting pass across goal. Both of Miami’s defenders were caught ball-watching, whilst Sebastian Berhalter made the most of the opportunity and smashed in the second goal.

Luis Suárez failed to find the back of the net for the eighth match in a row, with the Uruguayan’s sole two shots being off target and blocked, respectively, whilst fellow ex-Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also struggled to make an impact on proceedings. And as for Lionel Messi? He drew a blank as well.

Considered by many pundits like Ramon Vega and Cristobal Soria as the greatest footballer of all time, Messi has continued to deliver this season with 8 goals and 3 assists in 12 appearances, but he was kept under wraps against a stubborn Whitecaps defense. He completed 47 out of 62 passes, registered three shots (two on target), and made just three touches in the final third. The Argentine playmaker nevertheless made himself useful in other areas like regaining possession (three recoveries), winning fouls (four) and coming out on top in challenges (8 out of 14 ground duels won), but the brilliance that we have come to expect from his dead-ball deliveries, crosses and through balls were missing in Canada. And whenever he did embark on a buccaneering dribble and evade a handful of opponents, he’d eventually find himself stopped just before entering the penalty area. 

It will be a short turnaround for Miami as they prepare to host FC Dallas on Sunday. Miami are the sole unbeaten team remaining in MLS, but they nevertheless sit third in the Eastern Conference after drawing two of their last three league fixtures, and they will face a stern task in their upcoming fixture against FC Dallas. The Texan side have proven a tough nut to crack thanks to an impressive attacking core featuring the likes of Luciano Acosta and Petar Musa as well as a goalkeeper in Maarten Paes who, similarly to João Virgínia, blends incredible shot-stopping ability with quick reflexes. What’s more, they have not lost away from home since October 2, with their first five away trips of the campaign seeing them beat the Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake and draw to Minnesota United, Atlanta United, and the Colorado Rapids.

With the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal arriving just three days later, and with the 2025 MLS season still in its early stages, Mascherano could be tempted to rotate some of his key players on Sunday as he prepares for a tricky return match vs. Vancouver. In order to continue his auspicious honeymoon period, Miami’s Argentine manager will need to find a way to erase a two-goal deficit and book their ticket for the final, where they would face either Tigres or Cruz Azul. But first, they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways vs. Dallas and pick up a much-needed confidence boost.

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