Inter Miami are in the driving seat to win the Supporters’ Shield having recently beaten MLS rivals FC Cincinnati in the league.
A 2-0 win on Saturday thanks to a record-breaking Luis Suarez performance put Inter Miami four points clear of the LA Galaxy in the overall standings with a game in hand, with the Herons needing just a few more wins to wrap up the Shield.
With Lionel Messi set to return next month, Inter Miami will soon have all the tools at their disposal to clinch the Supporters’ Shield and then challenge for MLS Cup, with the Florida franchise now booked in for the play-offs.
And MLS expert Matt Doyle has shared if Inter Miami really can go all the way for the Supporters’ Shield.
Inter Miami backed to win Supporters’ Shield despite not playing good
Speaking on Extratime, the pundit backed Inter Miami to go all the way and win the Supporters’ Shield, though Doyle also admitted that the Herons haven’t played as well as many think they have.
With the best record in the league with their star player out injured, it is an interesting claim to make on Inter Miami, who have adapted under Tata Martino and are showing this summer that they can win games without Messi.
Doyle said when asked if it’s true Inter Miami will win the Supporters’ Shield: “True, and I feel bad saying it because I still think Columbus are so good. They have three games in hand, they could win all three of them and they would still be four points behind the pace that Miami are on right now.
“LAFC have two games in hand, they could win both of them they would still be three points behind the pace that Miami are on right now. If Miami were going to falter, it would have happened by now because they haven’t actually played great.”
Inter Miami will be back to their best in MLS once Messi returns
Inter Miami have had to change their style of football since Messi’s injury, with Sergio Busquets dropping into central defense with Suarez now the talismanic attacker that’s leading the line.
Yet with Messi back soon, Inter Miami will likely return to their best, with the Argentine international one of the best players in the world and someone who can elevate this Herons’ side to another level.
Indeed, Inter Miami’s performances without Messi have been quite incredible to watch, and the 37-year-old’s return will only make the Florida franchise even better with silverware soon on the line.