MLS legend Bradley Wright-Phillips has made a huge claim on this year’s Supporters’ Shield race with Inter Miami missing Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
The Herons lost major ground in the race for the MLS equivalent of the league title this weekend, as Inter Miami suffered a record-breaking 6-1 defeat at the hands of FC Cincinnati, who took top spot in the Supporters’ Shield race.
With the top six sides in MLS separated by just nine points, with sixth-place Columbus Crew having two games in hand, the battle for top spot in the Supporters Shield standings has never looked more enticing or competitive.
And league icon Wright-Phillips believes Inter Miami missing Messi and Suarez could play a part in how the title race unfolds.
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Messi and Suarez absence for Inter Miami is making MLS title race interesting
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, Wright-Phillips made the suggestion that Messi and Suarez being absent from Inter Miami for the next few games could make the Supporters’ Shield title race that bit more interesting.
The Herons face Toronto next in what could be another big game for the overall MLS standings, and Wright-Phillips now believes that Messi and Suarez being missing due to the Copa America could be big for rival teams.
Wright-Phillips said when asked if this season’s Supporters’ Shield race will be the best one yet in MLS history: “The way it’s heading, this is going to be the best MLS season ever.
“And you just made me think of something, Lionel Messi isn’t here, Luis Suarez isn’t here, and there’s a transfer window coming, can you imagine how good this title race is going to get? There’s so much to get from with this title race if these teams stay consistent.”
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Inter Miami have to show they don’t need superstar names to succeed
Before Saturday’s complete meltdown at the West End Stadium against Cincinnati, Inter Miami had been one of the in-form sides in MLS, winning four in a row with a squad that did not feature Messi or Suarez.
And even after this weekend’s record-breaking MLS defeat, Inter Miami still have the quality needed to show the rest of the league just how good they can be, with the Herons having arguably the best roster in league history.
Whilst additions at the back are needed, Inter Miami can still thrive without Mess and Suarez, and the Florida franchise will want to show that once again before the pair return from the Copa America.