Inter Miami’s Coach Defends Team Amid Season Challenges
MIAMI — Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has spoken out in support of his team’s performance at the start of the 2026 season, despite the distractions stemming from their past successes as last season’s MLS Cup champions.
Currently, Miami holds the fourth position in the Eastern Conference, accumulating 11 points from six matches, with only one loss—sustained against LAFC in their season opener. However, the team faced disappointment as they were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup after drawing 1-1 on aggregate with Nashville SC, falling victim to the away goals rule.
Mascherano emphasized the collective resilience of the team during a recent press conference. “The reality is that we are a team, and while there is room for improvement, there are also numerous positives,” he stated.
“I understand that outside noise can amplify expectations given the caliber of our players, but the situation is not as dire as it appears. We’ve played eight matches and only lost the first one at the season’s outset.”
He further reflected on the unfortunate exit from the Champions Cup, noting, “Elimination in that tournament was a significant goal for us. Still, we didn’t even lose in regulation time; it was almost a chance occurrence that led to our exit.” Mascherano remained optimistic, asserting, “I genuinely believe the team will continue to grow and improve with each match.”
Star player Lionel Messi has kicked off the season impressively, netting five goals in his initial five MLS games. However, the rest of the Miami roster has struggled, as no other player has surpassed a single goal thus far. Notably, Mexican forward Germain Belterrame, who joined the team with a substantial contract during the off-season, has yet to find the back of the net.
While avoiding singling out any individual player, Mascherano acknowledged the need for his squad to enhance their goal-scoring opportunities for sustained success. He remarked, “We have a different version of Leo this season. He provides us with the ability to score and create chances almost every game.”
He continued, “However, the contribution of the rest of the team is essential. This squad excels at generating opportunities, and while players may go through scoring droughts, our focus on creating chances remains unchanged.”
Inter Miami will return to action on Saturday when they host the New York Red Bulls at their new stadium for the club’s second home game. Defenders Sergio Reguilon and Facundo Moura are expected to make their returns, although Tadeo Allende’s availability is uncertain after he experienced discomfort during the opening match, which ended in a 2-2 draw against Austin FC last Saturday.
Allende was absent for the first 15 minutes of Friday’s training session. Mascherano confirmed, “Sergio and Faku have trained normally with the squad all week. Tadeo is the only player currently dealing with discomfort.” He expressed confidence in Allende’s potential to contribute, stating, “It’s merely a matter of time. His ability to score goals is his greatest asset, and I believe he will be back in form soon.”
