Inter Miami’s Mascherano responds to criticism regarding team’s performance.
MIAMI — Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has defended his team’s beginning to the 2026 season, despite the “noise” surrounding last season’s MLS Cup champions.
Miami is currently positioned in fourth place on the Eastern Conference standings with 11 points from six matches, having lost only the season opener against LAFC. However, the team was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup on the away goals rule after finishing with a 1-1 aggregate score against Nashville SC.
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“The reality here is that we are a team. I believe that, even though the team still has plenty of room for improvement, there are also many positives,” Mascherano stated during a news conference on Friday.
“I recognize that, at times, there is considerable noise from the outside, fueled by the high expectations surrounding the team and the quality of players we possess, but the situation isn’t as dire as it may appear. We’ve played eight matches; we only lost the very first one at the start of the season.”
“Regarding our exit from the Champions Cup, which was one of our primary goals, we didn’t lose those matches in regulation time.
“Unfortunately, and I would say almost by chance, we were eliminated. Nonetheless, there are positive aspects to consider; I don’t see the situation as entirely negative or hopeless. I genuinely believe that, match after match, this team will continue to develop and improve.”
Although Lionel Messi has had another strong start to the season with five goals in his first five MLS games, no other Miami player has scored more than once so far. Major offseason acquisition, Mexico striker GermΓ‘n Berterame has yet to score for his new team.
While refraining from singling out any individual player, Mascherano emphasized the need for the team to enhance its ability to create scoring opportunities to achieve ongoing success on the field.
“Clearly, we have Leo, who is in a league of his own, and he provides us with the capability to score or generate scoring chances in nearly every match,” Mascherano remarked.
“Yes, we do require contributions from the rest of the squad; that is evident. Because if there is one thing this team excels at, it is creating chances. There are periods — or phases of the season — when certain players are more effective at scoring, and other times when they are less so; but in any case, we will persist.”
Miami will return to the field on Saturday when they host the New York Red Bulls for the club’s second match at its new stadium.
Defenders Sergio ReguilΓ³n and Facundo Mura may return to play, but it remains uncertain whether Tadeo Allende will be available. The forward experienced discomfort during the 2-2 draw against Austin FC last Saturday to inaugurate Nu Stadium.
Allende was absent from the first 15 minutes of training on Friday.
“Sergio and Facu have trained normally all week with the rest of the group; the only one currently dealing with discomfort is Tadeo,” Mascherano noted.
“It’s just a matter of time; he is a player who has performed well for every team he’s been part of. Clearly, his greatest strength is his ability to score goals, to find the back of the net, so it really is just a matter of time.”
