Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami suffered a 3-1 defeat to Monterrey in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, ending their dream of a continental trophy. Despite starting their star players Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Miami looked overmatched by Monterrey, who fielded a stronger lineup. Miami’s chances were further hampered by a mistake from goalkeeper Drake Callender, allowing Monterrey to take a first-half lead and ultimately secure the win with two more goals in the second half. This result means MLS will have just one team, the Columbus Crew, in the semifinals of the tournament.
The loss continued MLS’s historical struggles in the tournament, with just one team, the Seattle Sounders in 2022, being crowned champions. Miami’s only other chance to qualify for the Club World Cup next year is by winning the 2024 MLS Cup. Despite the hostile atmosphere at Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA, with the crowd chanting against Messi and the Miami team, the players were prepared for the challenge and embraced the experience of playing in such a high-intensity environment. Mexico’s fan support and the size of the stadium posed difficulties for MLS teams, with Callender’s error in the first half putting Miami on the back foot.
A big mistake by Callender trying to play out from the back gifted Monterrey forward Brandon Vazquez a first-half goal, putting Miami further behind in the match. Monterrey’s second goal in the 58th minute by Germán Berterame effectively sealed the game for the Mexican side, showcasing their superiority over the MLS team. Despite attempts by Miami to recover, they were unable to match Monterrey’s pace and skill, with Berterame’s thunderous strike highlighting the difference in quality between the two teams. Monterrey’s depth and squad construction were key factors in their success over Miami, with the Liga MX side outclassing their opponents in almost every aspect of the game.
Inter Miami’s failure in the CONCACAF Champions Cup highlighted the challenges faced by MLS teams in competing with Liga MX clubs, who have historically dominated the tournament. Miami’s reliance on star players was not enough to overcome Monterrey’s well-rounded team, and the lack of depth on the bench proved to be a disadvantage. Coach Tata Martino emphasized the need for MLS to build more robust squads in order to compete at a higher level in international competitions. The Columbus Crew now stand as MLS’s last hope to overcome the advantages held by Liga MX teams and potentially make a strong run in the tournament.
