Inter Miami`s hopes in the Concacaf Champions Cup were dashed in the semifinals as they suffered a convincing 3-1 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday at Chase Stadium. This was arguably the biggest match in Inter Miami`s history, yet they appeared outplayed by a well-organized Vancouver side.
Sebastian Berhalter was a standout performer for the Whitecaps, delivering a goal and two assists and proving instrumental in his team`s victory. His performance overshadowed even the presence of World Cup winner Lionel Messi on the opposing side, sending the pre-tie favorites home.
Despite an early glimmer of hope for the Herons when Jordi Alba scored in the ninth minute, giving Miami a 1-0 advantage at halftime, Vancouver recovered effectively. In the second half, Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen made key adjustments.
The changes paid off rapidly. Berhalter assisted goals for Brian White and Pedro Vite within quick succession, swinging the momentum firmly in Vancouver`s favor. At this point, the body language of some Inter Miami players suggested the challenge was too steep, even with Messi on the field. Berhalter then capped his stellar performance with a goal of his own in the 71st minute, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that have recently surfaced for Miami.
While Lionel Messi has maintained strong individual form this season with eight goals and two assists across all competitions, Inter Miami`s attack has sputtered elsewhere. Luis Suarez`s scoring drought now extends to eight consecutive games, and Tadeo Allende`s contributions have also decreased. Furthermore, the defense has reverted to conceding multiple goals, raising questions about the squad balance and composition under coach Javier Mascherano following the departures of players like Leonardo Campana, Robert Taylor, and Julian Gressel.
With the Club World Cup on the horizon, Miami`s current form is a significant concern. The Whitecaps, in contrast, demonstrated a cohesive team strategy that they executed flawlessly. Although they might lose Berhalter for the final due to yellow card accumulation, their performance under Sorensen suggests they possess the depth and system to compete effectively.
This defeat serves as a crucial lesson for Inter Miami. The team needs to evolve beyond being simply “Messi and friends” and build a coherent collective identity, especially considering Messi`s eventual departure. The current reliance paints a potentially bleak future. A turnaround is possible only if Mascherano can make significant tactical and structural adjustments. Otherwise, Inter Miami could face a challenging season.
The Vancouver Whitecaps will now advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup final on June 1st, where they will face either Cruz Azul or Tigres.
