Inter Miami’s thrilling 3-3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday highlighted both the team’s attacking prowess and its defensive vulnerabilities. Manager Javier Mascherano, in a post-match interview, emphasized the need for his team to develop greater resilience and learn how to manage difficult moments in games.
The match saw Miami twice overcome deficits, thanks to a brace from Tadeo Allende, with Lionel Messi playing a crucial role in the build-up. However, this performance also marked the fourth time in five games that Inter Miami conceded at least three goals, highlighting a persistent defensive problem.
Mascherano pointed to recurring late-game errors as a major concern. He stated that the team’s habit of conceding late goals, as seen in recent matches against Dallas and Minnesota, is unacceptable if they are to compete for significant titles. He stressed the urgent need for improvement in this area, emphasizing the importance of learning to navigate pressure and maintain composure during challenging periods.
The match itself was a whirlwind of early goals. Maxi Falcón gave Miami a dream start, scoring after just 34 seconds. However, San Jose swiftly equalized less than two minutes later, capitalizing on a goalkeeper error by Oscar Ustari. The first half continued at breakneck speed, with a flurry of goals before halftime leaving San Jose ahead.
Allende’s second equalizer came ten minutes into the second half, keeping Miami in the game. Despite Messi’s late attempt on goal, the match ended in a draw. While a road point is a positive, Mascherano remains focused on the team’s need to perform more consistently and reduce their defensive lapses.
Allende himself acknowledged the team’s performance as ‘average’, but expressed confidence in his own contribution. The match also saw Messi’s frustration boil over after a non-call by the referee, resulting in a yellow card for dissent.
Despite the drama, Mascherano’s post-match comments focused on the team’s need to improve their mental fortitude and defensive solidity. He praised the team’s fighting spirit but insisted on significant improvements to avoid recurring defensive mistakes. The road to success, it seems, for Inter Miami lies in learning to embrace the struggle and ‘suffer’ through challenging moments.
