A First Half to Forget

It was a bitter night in Florida for Inter Miami, who suffered a 5-3 defeat against Chicago in a match that severely damaged their chances of winning the Supporters’ Shield, the trophy awarded to the team with the best regular-season record in MLS.

Despite another standout performance from Lionel Messi, who led the team’s attack, tactical mistakes in the first half proved costly. After the match, Javier Mascherano faced the media and surprised many with a rare gesture: he publicly apologized to his players, including Messi.

“I apologized for not being able to help. It’s very difficult when, as a coach, you give away the first half... We have a lot to improve, and I made that very clear. I’m the first one who needs to improve,” said the Argentine coach in a moment of self-criticism.

The loss left Inter Miami seven points behind Philadelphia, the league leaders, with only six points left to play for. While the team has one game in hand, their margin for error has all but disappeared.

Mascherano Owns Up to Tactical Errors

Mascherano admitted that his initial game plan was off. “The responsibility is mine for the poor approach in the first half. When you have to change plans mid-game, it’s because you expected one thing and got the opposite. It’s not about the players, it’s about how I read the match — and I was wrong,” he explained.

The previous draw in Toronto combined with this defeat handed the Supporters’ Shield race to Philadelphia, who only need three points from their upcoming matches against New York City and Charlotte to secure the title.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami now focuses on their remaining regular season fixtures against New England, Atlanta United, and Nashville, knowing that their only realistic hope now lies in performing well in the playoffs.

Messi’s Numbers Keep Hope Alive

Despite the setback, Messi continues to post incredible numbers: 32 goals and 14 assists in 40 matches across all competitions for Inter Miami this year, including 24 goals and 11 assists in MLS. His brilliance has kept the team’s title hopes alive longer than expected.

Next up for Messi and Mascherano is a crucial home game on Saturday, October 4, against New England, which could define the franchise’s immediate future. With 52 goals conceded, Inter Miami’s defense has become their Achilles’ heel at a critical point in the season.