Inter Miami continued their impressive preseason form with a convincing 3-1 victory over Panama's Sporting San Miguelito, highlighted by Luis Suarez's impactful performance and Lionel Messi's characteristic dynamism on the field.
Despite dominating possession early in the match, Inter Miami initially struggled to convert their control into goals. Messi came close after combining with Suarez in a characteristic display of their chemistry, but was thwarted by solid goalkeeping. The home side, however, capitalized on their opportunity when Adan Hendricks finished off a well-executed counter-attack in the 24th minute to take the lead.
The Herons found their equalizer just before halftime through Benjamin Cremaschi, who finished from close range following a sequence initiated by Messi. The Argentine star evaded his marker before finding Marcelo Weigandt, whose cross found Cremaschi unmarked at the far post.
The second half saw Miami assert their dominance, with Tadeo Allende finding the bottom corner from a Suarez assist in the 52nd minute. Fafa Picault later sealed the victory with a third goal, cementing Miami's unbeaten preseason record, which includes victories over Club America and Universitario.
Luis Suarez's performance particularly stood out, demonstrating that age hasn't diminished his effectiveness. The Uruguayan striker showed surprising agility and determination, creating opportunities and providing a crucial assist. His showing suggests that Miami's decision to bring him aboard might prove astute, despite some initial skepticism.
However, the match highlighted changing fortunes within the squad. Robert Taylor, once a key figure during Messi's initial arrival in 2023, appears to have fallen down the pecking order, managing only a brief 10-minute appearance. This represents a significant shift for a player who had previously enjoyed substantial playing time.
Inter Miami's preseason journey continues with an upcoming fixture against Honduran side CD Olimpia, followed by their final preseason match against local rivals Orlando City. The team's strong performances thus far suggest they're building momentum for the regular season ahead.
