After a few days with a lot of turmoil, Inter Miami kicked off their 2021 MLS season with a bang against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The match proved exciting despite the 3-2 defeat at the hands of the five-time MLS champions. Despite the loss Inter Miami looked refreshed but will need to fix a lot of pending issues from last year.
Despite having less of the ball, only 34%, the team was able to generate more shots on goal than the Galaxy 19 to 6. Still old wounds came back to haunt Inter Miami as some shotty defending and quick counters cost the team what could have been three well-earned points.
Inter Miami were clearly the most dangerous side with Blaise Matuidi working hard in the middle and helping create chances for the team. Gonzalo Higuain got the monkey off his back and proved how capable he could be in MLS with a goal and an assist. Here are three key takeaways from Inter Miami’s defeat against the L.A. Galaxy.
Three takeaways from Inter Miami’s loss to the LA Galaxy
Higuain could be prime time
Gonzalo Higuain incredibly came to MLS with little fanfare, and again during the ABC broadcast questions about his fitness were all over the broadcast, still, few if any forwards in MLS have his pedigree and it showed. The Argentine forward played setup man on the team’s first goal and then took a well taken penalty to put the home side up 2-1. Higuain also looked very active playing in the middle and looking for the ball, under the right setup, Higuain could very well be one of the best forwards in the league.
Inter Miami will need to defend much better going forward
Inter Miami got caught on the counterattack and gave up the tying goal in a 4 v 2 situation, while on the second a cross that was well in the Miami area got through three defenders and cost the team a win. Phil Neville will need to work on this so the team does not give up lazy goals. Leandro González Pirez continues to be a yellow card magnet, and this is also something the manager will need to address.
The pressure is on Blaise Matuidi
With all the drama around Blaise Matuidi and his signing last year, his performance against LA Galaxy was very welcoming, he looks like a firm piece of the Inter Miami set up and if he continues with performances like these, then surely all the offseason drama will be forgotten.
