Inter Miami faces a significant challenge in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit against the Vancouver Whitecaps from the first leg. An early exit would be a major disappointment for Miami`s high-profile squad, especially given Vancouver`s strong preparation under Jesper Sorensen.
Miami has experience with comebacks, having overcome a first-leg loss to Los Angeles FC in the quarterfinals to advance 3-2 on aggregate. However, the Vancouver team appears more resilient than LAFC. For Miami to progress, they must control the midfield and reignite Luis Suarez`s goal-scoring form, as relying solely on Lionel Messi might not be sufficient for this competition.
Ahead of the crucial second leg, here`s a look at the key storylines and analysis:
First Leg Recap
In the first leg, Vancouver took the lead when Brian White`s header beat Miami keeper Oscar Ustari in the 24th minute. Despite Inter Miami controlling possession for large parts of the match, Vancouver effectively dictated the flow of play and continued to press. Sebastian Berhalter added a crucial second goal late in the game, establishing a significant advantage for Vancouver, especially as Miami failed to score an away goal.
What`s at Stake
This match represents arguably the most important in the history of both clubs. Neither Inter Miami nor the Vancouver Whitecaps have ever reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final, meaning history will be made in Fort Lauderdale. For Miami, who won the Leagues Cup last season, securing more trophies is essential to validate the project. Head coach Javier Mascherano stressed the significance of the tie before the first leg, and the deficit now makes the second leg even more critical.
Expectations were high for Miami to win multiple competitions with their star players. However, their success in the regular season hasn`t been mirrored in cup tournaments or playoffs. They were eliminated at this stage last season by the Columbus Crew. The departure of key depth players like Robert Taylor, Leonardo Campana, and Julian Gressel has raised concerns about whether the current squad is adequately built to compete simultaneously across all competitions.
Will Luis Suarez Start Scoring?
Last season, the team heavily relied on the partnership of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. This season, Suarez`s goal involvement has declined significantly; he has not contributed to a goal in six consecutive games and hasn`t scored himself in eight. While Tadeo Allende`s strong form early in the season allowed Suarez to focus on creation, the team now requires more direct contributions from the 38-year-old striker. The absence of a proven alternative at the number nine position since Leonardo Campana`s departure leaves Miami vulnerable up front.
Predicted Lineups
Here are the predicted starting lineups for the match:
Inter Miami:
- Oscar Ustari
- Jordi Alba
- Noah Allen
- Maximiliano Falcon
- Marcelo Weigandt
- Tadeo Allende
- Yannick Bright
- Sergio Busquets
- Benjamin Cremaschi
- Luis Suarez
- Lionel Messi
Vancouver Whitecaps:
- Yohei Takaoka
- Edier Ocampo
- Tristan Blackmon
- Ranko Veselinovic
- Tate Johnson
- Sebastian Berhalter
- Andres Cubas
- Pedro Vite
- Daniel Rios
- Brian White
- Ali Ahmed
Player to Watch
A key player to keep an eye on is Vancouver`s Sebastian Berhalter. He had a standout performance in the first leg, capped by scoring a goal. His sharp awareness was evident, notably with a tackle dispossessing Messi in the box. This season has been a breakout campaign for Berhalter, contributing three goals and one assist across all competitions. His increasing experience allows him to better time his runs into the attack, which is vital to Vancouver`s play. Alongside Pedro Vite and Andres Cubas, Berhalter is a central figure in Vancouver`s developing and effective midfield.
Storyline to Watch
A major storyline is whether history will repeat itself. Vancouver cannot afford any complacency despite their lead. Even securing an away goal wasn`t enough for Los Angeles FC to avoid elimination by Miami in the previous round. While Vancouver will look to score early, they must prepare for an intense attacking push from Miami from the outset. Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka will need to be highly alert in net. Although overcoming a two-goal deficit is challenging, if any team is capable of doing so, it`s Inter Miami.
Prediction
Brian White is predicted to score again for the Whitecaps, meaning Inter Miami would need to score four goals to advance. While Miami is expected to come close, ultimately the task may be too difficult, leading to another disappointing cup exit added to their record.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 1
Dominic Ashworth