ESPN.com · Nov 13, 2024
Not even Messi could save Inter Miami from injury, depth issues
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MIAMI -- Disbelief dawned upon more than 20,000 fans at Chase Stadium on Saturday night when the referee blew the final whistle and ended Inter Miami's 2024 MLS season. The favorites to win MLS Cup crashed out of the playoffs in the first round, losing to Atlanta United in the best-of-three series.
How could a team that concluded the regular season in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, with 34 fewer points than Miami, overpower a lineup captained by Lionel Messi and supported by Luis Suárez?
Although Miami's brilliance in attack often overshadowed the team's weaknesses, signs of a potential downfall emerged long before Saturday night.