Inter Miami`s aspirations in the Concacaf Champions Cup came to an end as they were convincingly defeated 3-1 by the Vancouver Whitecaps in a crucial semifinal match held at Chase Stadium. With this victory, Vancouver secured their place in the final of the tournament.
Sebastian Berhalter delivered a standout performance, proving to be the most impactful player on the pitch which included Lionel Messi. Berhalter contributed a goal and two assists, playing a pivotal role in sending home the favored Miami team and the World Cup winner.
Initially, things looked promising for the Herons when Jordi Alba found the net just nine minutes into the game, giving Miami a 1-0 lead that they held until halftime. However, Vancouver regrouped effectively.
In the second half, under the guidance of Jesper Sorensen, the Whitecaps made tactical adjustments. Berhalter provided assists for quick goals by Brian White and Pedro Vite, scored less than two minutes apart. At this point, the body language of some Inter Miami players suggested they felt the challenge was insurmountable, even with Messi present. Berhalter then added his own goal in the 71st minute, highlighting recent vulnerabilities within the Miami squad that appear to be more than just minor issues.
While Messi has maintained good individual form this season with eight goals and two assists across all competitions, other key attackers like Luis Suarez are struggling, with Suarez`s goalless streak extending to eight games. Tadeo Allende`s scoring form has also dipped, and the team`s defense is once again conceding multiple goals. Following the departure of players like Leonardo Campana, Robert Taylor, and Julian Gressel, questions are being raised regarding the roster composition under coach Javier Mascherano.
Looking ahead to the Club World Cup, Inter Miami`s recent form is cause for concern; if they play at the level shown towards the end of April, progressing from the group stage of that tournament seems unlikely. The Whitecaps, by contrast, demonstrated a clear game plan and executed it flawlessly as a cohesive unit. Although they might lose Berhalter for the final due to yellow card accumulation, their performance indicates they have the depth under Sorensen to compete successfully even without a key player.
This stands as a valuable lesson for Miami. As the team is perceived to be built around Messi and his friends rather than a strong collective, the question of what happens when Messi is no longer there becomes more pressing. It presents a challenging future unless Mascherano can implement necessary changes. Without significant adjustments, the remainder of the season could prove to be a difficult one for Inter Miami.
The Vancouver Whitecaps will face either Cruz Azul or Tigres in the Concacaf Champions Cup final scheduled for June 1st.
Dominic Ashworth