Inter Miami Faces San Jose Earthquakes After Recent Setback

Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, has experienced inconsistent form as they gear up to challenge the San Jose Earthquakes this Wednesday. Despite Messi finding the net in their last outing, Miami suffered a significant defeat against Minnesota United, highlighting their ongoing difficulties when facing stronger opposition. Luis Suarez`s absence from that match further exposed the team`s lack of attacking depth, allowing Minnesota to dictate the terms of the game from start to finish.

Bruce Arena`s Earthquakes might not offer the same defensive challenge as Minnesota, but their offensive capabilities are considerable. San Jose leads the league with 26 goals scored this season, though their defense has conceded 20, ranking them among teams with higher goals allowed. Arena appears to be employing a strategy focused on outscoring opponents in high-scoring matches. This approach has successfully placed the team above the playoff line, marking significant improvement under his guidance this season.

Last Meeting

This encounter marks only the second time San Jose and Inter Miami have played each other. Inter Miami won their previous match in March 2022. This upcoming game will be Messi`s first visit to San Jose with Miami, creating notable excitement in the Western Conference. While `Messi mania` may have somewhat subsided in some areas as he enters his second full season with the squad, many stadiums in the Western Conference are yet to host the Argentine star.

What the Coaches Are Saying

High expectations are a constant at Inter Miami. These expectations contributed to Tata Martino`s departure after just 1.5 seasons and missing the playoffs last season, and they are now being felt by Javier Mascherano in his first season at the helm. Miami`s recruitment, which reportedly failed to secure adequate backups in crucial positions, hasn`t made his task easier. However, with a player like Messi on the roster, the team is generally expected to win regardless of the rest of the squad makeup. Mascherano took responsibility for the tactical approach after the loss to Minnesota United.

“Every time we were attacking, unfortunately, we were very vulnerable on transitions after losing the ball. That`s what worries me the most,” Mascherano commented. “If the players` performance drops, the responsibility is entirely mine. In the end, there`s a coach — and if the players aren`t convinced by what the coach is proposing, it`s the coach`s fault.”

Changes will be necessary if Inter Miami is to consistently defeat playoff-contending teams, making the test against San Jose particularly relevant.

Predicted Lineups

Player to Watch

Cristian Arango, San Jose Earthquakes: Arango currently leads the MLS Golden Boot race with eight goals and one assist, proving transformative for San Jose since his arrival. He`s a strong contender in the MVP race, and matches like this one against Inter Miami offer an excellent opportunity for him and the team to make a statement. With a chance to outshine Messi, the atmosphere in San Jose is expected to be vibrant, and Arango will likely be highly motivated.

Storyline to Watch

What is Inter Miami`s True Form? Having conceded 12 goals in their last three matches, questions about Miami`s defensive solidity are arising. The team performed well until facing recent challenges on the road. Now, they must demonstrate their ability to regain form away from home. The loss to Minnesota, where they conceded four goals, was particularly humbling.

With Messi, the team is widely expected to win, but other players need to step up, especially when Luis Suarez is not in the starting lineup. If Mascherano cannot identify other key contributors ahead of the Club World Cup, the upcoming months could be challenging for the Herons.

Prediction