Miami won their opening game of the 2024 season thanks to goals from Robert Taylor and Diego Gomez on the evening when Luis Suarez made his Major League Soccer debut.
More from Luis Suarez’s post-debut Apple TV interview: “It is the challenge, the ambition that I and the whole team have, to be able to win that title at club level, which would be very important in MLS. Coming to a team that won its first title this year and trying to win the MLS.”
Real Salt Lake had few genuine scoring opportunities as Inter Miami, who scored their first goal in the 39th minute, dominated the first half.
Yet, the second half saw a total shift in the playing field. Deep in Miami’s defensive zone, RSL forced turnover after turnover with far greater vigor and offensive intent. They missed all of their opportunities, but Miami could have paid a different squad on another night.
Before a brilliant counterattack spearheaded by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez set up Diego Gomez for Miami’s second goal, both teams wore out in the final minutes. After watching tonight’s match, Miami’s MLS rivals will be less confident that the “superteam” in the league can be defeated.
Real Salt Lake’s incredible 14-game unbeaten streak in their openers came to an end when they dropped their first game of the MLS regular season for the first time in 15 years.
Breaking down Miami’s pass network
Tonight, there are two brief responses to Miami’s pass network.
First, rather than using two planes to gather the ball, Messi is doing so nearly parallel to Luis Suarez, giving the impression of a strike partnership. Second, Sergii Kryvtsov has been in charge of covering a large area between right center back Tomás Avilés and Jordi Alba’s offensive runs.
To create opportunities against Miami in 2024, opponents need target that area frequently. Three crucial points for Inter Miami there. Though it wasn’t particularly nice, a win is a win. The MLS Cup contenders’ defensive weaknesses were evident all night long as they played sloppy defense.
However, Messi appeared more like himself. He helped out occasionally, had his moments, and always appeared threatening when he was close to the RSL penalty area. Fort Lauderdale’s upcoming season looks to be really interesting!
Luis Suarez was all smiles when he made his Major League Soccer debut, saying on Apple TV, “I’m so happy because the first game is really important.” To help the squad win a trophy, I want to put up my best effort.”
Suarez then responded in Spanish to an English question, which the journalist translated as follows: “I knew what I was going to face because I have already been following the league, but my friends told me I was going to face tough competition here.”
Inter Miami 2-0 Real Salt Lake
It wasn’t always convincing in the second half but Miami began with 2024 MLS season with a win! Unexpectedly. On his debut, Luis Suarez plays 90 minutes before leaving before stoppage time. Although I don’t think the Uruguayan legend will play much in the regular season as a full-90 player, he’s had a great debut in Major League Soccer, with an assist and two shots.
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