Inter Miami are the early favorites for MLS Cup, with the Florida franchise already one-up against Atlanta United in their best-of-three series.
The Herons won 2-1 on Friday night against the Five Stripes with Luis Suarez hailing Jordi Alba as the best left-back in the world after the Inter Miami defender’s incredible match-winning performance at Chase Stadium.
With Tata Martino also lauding Alba after his performance for Inter Miami, the vibes are good around the Supporters’ Shield champions, who can book their place in the next round of the MLS play-offs with a win this weekend at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
And Kieran Gibbs believes one Inter Miami figure is now a shoo-in for a major MLS award.
Inter Miami’s Tata Martino tipped to win MLS Coach of the Year
Speaking on the Inter Miami Weekly Show, the pundit shared how Martino is the standout candidate to win MLS Coach of the Year after everything the Argentine manager has done with the Florida franchise this season.
With MLS expert Andrew Wiebe also tipping Martino to win Coach of the Year, the odds are looking good for the former Mexico national team manager to scoop up one of the biggest individual awards of the season.
And Gibbs is now also on board with Martino winning the award, with the former Arsenal defender saying about the Inter Miami manager: “I definitely don’t think the Manager of the Season should be out of for question.
“Tata’s done a remarkable job, that stretch that he had without Messi shows that it wasn’t a fluke [Inter Miami winning the Supporters’ Shield]. His team selection, the way he rotated, and the way he got those results shows why he should be Manager of the Season.”
Martino deserves huge recognition for achievements this year
Although Inter Miami are viewed from the outside as ‘the Lionel Messi club’, the Herons would not be where they are today in the play-offs without Martino and he decisions the Argentina manager has made.
The former Atlanta United coach has proven to be the dream appointment for Inter Miami in this phase of their history, with Martino bringing the experience needed to win in MLS coupled with how to deal with superstar players like Messi.
And Martino’s achievements deserve recognition after everything the Inter Miami manager has achieved this year, with MLS Coach of the Year more than deserved for the former FC Barcelona figure.