Inter Miami CF, the high-powered Major League Soccer team co-owned by David Beckham, are the league’s top team in terms of points after 20 matches.
The Lionel Messi-led side have taken 41 points from 20 fixtures, leaving them two points ahead of their nearest rivals FC Cincinnati in the chase for the MLS Supporters’ Shield – the trophy given to the team with the best regular season record.
This is how things are shaking out in the East after Matchday 21. pic.twitter.com/Vdt4KuHX5O— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 20, 2024
This is how things are shaking out in the East after Matchday 21. pic.twitter.com/Vdt4KuHX5O
Miami’s two-headed attack of Messi and Luis Suarez have picked up where they left off at FC Barcelona. The duo have accounted for 24 of Miami’s 46 goals – 52.3%.
Each player has 12 goals, accounting for 26% of Inter Miami’s goals. To say the Herons are reliant on the duo wouldn’t be off the mark.
Indeed, with both Messi and Suarez away at Copa America 2024 for Argentina and Uruguay, respectively, Miami’s ability to score goals and win matches will be put to the test.
The Herons may lead the way in points, but they have been guilty of dropping points on occasions. Miami failed to win two of their last four MLS games, picking up nine points during that run.
Supporters’ Shield rivals FC Cincinnati may be two points behind Inter Miami in the race for the regular season trophy, yet the former has two games in hand.
No MLS team has played more matches thus far than Inter Miami (20). Cincinnati can certainly make up ground in the Supporters’ Shield race thanks to their two games in hand. In addition, Real Salt Lake, who are four points behind Miami, also have a game in hand.
Inter Miami winning the Supporters’ Shield isn’t a foregone conclusion. But the ultimate prize in MLS is the MLS Cup, which is given at the end of the playoffs.
Miami are the bookmakers’ favourite to win the cup at 2.62 odds. Yet, Inter Miami were also favourites to win the cup last season after Messi arrived in Miami.
The difference between last season’s Inter Miami squad and this season’s team is Suarez. In 2023, Leonardo Campana led Miami in scoring with nine goals.
Teammate Josef Martinez added seven. Messi, who arrived midway through the campaign, finished with just one MLS goal.
Having failed to have any player score double-digit goals, Inter Miami have two players with 12 goals after 20 games.
With only 12 games to go in the regular season, Miami and the rest of MLS will be pausing in late July for this season’s Leagues Cup tournament. The Leagues Cup is the competition created by MLS and Liga MX in which teams from both leagues battle for a trophy.
Inter Miami may be on top of the points standings right now, but with games in hand, FC Cincinnati can certainly overtake them.
The MLS Cup playoffs are a different animal, however. If Miami don’t win the Supporters’ Shield, they are still good value to win the postseason and bring Inter Miami their first-ever MLS Cup.