Last Wednesday, Inter Miami received a reality check from one of the most promising teams in MLS, who with very good soccer in both matches left them out of the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup after beating them with an aggregate score of 5-1.
It seems incredible to have to say it, but losing is also part of the game, it is a consequence of going out to compete, and although coach Javier Mascherano is clear about this, he cannot believe that Vancouver scored two goals in three minutes, when they had the game within reach for an eventual comeback with Jordi Alba’s goal in the ninth minute.
His disbelief is as great as his frustration in the midst of a situation that is beginning to raise doubts about his ability to lead Inter Miami to its first ever MLS Cup championship. He said so in a press conference after the match that the Herons lost 3-1 at Chase Stadium: “Clearly we did not expect that in three minutes they would settle the tie with two plays at the start of the second half, when we had to be calmer. We were one goal away from tying it.”
“It’s inconceivable”: Javier Mascherano
The ‘Jefecito’ was clear and forceful about the mistakes of his players in the defeat against the Whitecaps: “I think we have competed, it is difficult to say when the aggregate ends 5-1 (…) In this type of tie, mistakes are very expensive, in front of you have a team with hierarchy and that will not forgive you. They score two goals in the same way in three minutes. You can’t afford that in a series like this, especially at the start of the second half. It’s inconceivable.”
“I’m not even thinking about the Club World Cup”
Mascherano also mentioned the Club World Cup, but not in the context that everyone would like, as he simply glossed over the subject, giving priority to the crisis facing his team after this lamentable elimination: “I don’t even think about the Club World Cup, it would be a mistake (…) In my sporting life I have had more situations like this than the others. And although we play to win, I like the challenge of getting out of this moment quickly,” he said.
Inter Miami is sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference with 18 points, five wins, three draws and one defeat, 16 goals for and 10 against, so the situation is (still) not as bad as its detractors paint it, who are calling for him to step aside, as they consider him a ‘losing’ coach
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