Inter Miami CF is leaving the rest of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the dust, and it’s not just because they’ve got Messi—though, let’s be honest, he’s a big part of it. The team is downright unstoppable right now. Blink, and you’ve probably missed something exciting. And guess what? The show’s just getting started.
You ever get that feeling like things are finally coming together? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening in 2024. Inter Miami didn’t just show up; they’ve stormed in, punching their ticket to the MLS playoffs with an ease most teams can only dream of. When I say "ease," I’m not exaggerating. We’re talking about a squad that secured their spot with eight whole games left in the regular season.
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To give you a little perspective, Inter Miami now belongs to a select club alongside Los Angeles FC and FC Cincinnati, teams that also crushed it during their regular seasons. And here’s the kicker: both LAFC and Cincinnati took home the Supporters’ Shield after dominating like that. This puts Inter Miami in a position no one can ignore. They’re gunning for the league title and might even snag the best regular season team trophy while they’re at it.
As of now, Inter Miami has racked up 56 points in just 26 games. Just to put that in context, last season, they only managed a measly 34 points. Talk about a turnaround, right? They’ve already chalked up 17 wins this year, compared to last season’s sad nine. And when it comes to finding the back of the net, they aren’t playing around: 58 goals so far, making them the deadliest attack in the league.
Now, you can’t talk about all this success without mentioning the Messi effect. The guy hasn’t just elevated the team on the pitch; he’s brought in a winning mentality that’s hard to replicate. Messi’s already scored 12 goals this season, but he’s not doing it alone. Luis Suárez, back in top form, has chipped in with 14 goals himself. Together, they’re like an unstoppable force, throwing it back to their Barcelona glory days—except now, they’re chasing greatness in U.S. soccer.
But hey, it’d be unfair to credit all the success to just them. The entire squad is making history. Fourteen different players have found the net this season. You know what that tells you? This team isn’t relying on just one or two stars to get the job done. Everyone’s committed to winning, and that’s a huge sign that Inter Miami is becoming a real powerhouse, not just a team that’s bought some talent.
And it’s not just on the field where they’re dominating. The Chase Stadium has become a fortress. They’re undefeated at home in their last 11 games (8 wins, 3 draws). Miami has become a place where no one wants to play. Only Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls have managed to keep up in that department.
They’ve also snagged eight wins on the road, losing only to Cincinnati, and they’ve tied the record for most away games undefeated. That balance between home and away form is what really sets apart the good teams from the ones that make history.
So, is Inter Miami ready to take it all? Recent history shows that teams that clinch a playoff spot this early usually go deep. And with the roster Miami’s put together, it’d be pretty naive to bet against them.
Maybe the biggest challenge for Inter Miami now is keeping their feet on the ground and making sure all that confidence doesn’t turn into overconfidence. The MLS Cup isn’t just going to fall into their laps. Teams like LA Galaxy, LAFC, and even Cincinnati are ready to crash the party. Sure, Inter Miami might be the favorites, but there’s still a lot of soccer left to be played.
But honestly, what’s most impressive about all of this isn’t the numbers or the stars. What really stands out is how Inter Miami is changing the way people see soccer in the U.S. With Messi, Suárez, and the rest of the crew, American soccer is finally earning the respect it’s always deserved.