By James Nalton
Inter crisis?
Inter Miami were unable to build on their 4-1 win against New York Red Bulls, losing at the weekend to the same scoreline against a bustling Minnesota United side.
This latest defeat means Javier Mascherano’s side have won just three games of their last ten, and have lost four of their last five matches.
It’s clearly annoying David Beckham, who chimed in when Minnesota United, revelling in their victory, made fun of Inter Miami in an Instagram post. “Show a little respect mnufc be elegant in triumph,” Beckham replied.
Though they will be bitterly disappointed to have been knocked out of the Concacaf Champions Cup, and the recent league form is far from ideal, Inter Miami are still just four points off the top of the Eastern Conference and six off the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings with a game in hand.
Though this isn’t the kind of run that will be expected of Inter Miami, it’s not yet a crisis.
A game against the Earthquakes poses its own problems, though, and Inter Miami will still be still be without Luis Suárez for the trip to San Jose.
Messi still magic
Amid all of this, Messi still found the net against Minnesota, giving all those in Saint Paul who’d come to the game in the prominent pink “Messi 10” shirts something to enjoy.
It was a nice bit of link-up play with Jordi Alba. The left back sent a low ball in directly to Messi’s feet, and the Argentine took one touch to set himself up and another to find the far corner of the goal.
Messi created the most chances in the game with four, and his FotMob rating was level with the highest-rated Minnesota player, Robin Lod, on 8.3.
This is why, regardless of what the stats say, and regardless of form, Inter Miami are always a threat, and will remain so against San Jose.
Earthquakes attack
San Jose Earthquakes are the highest-scoring team in MLS so far this season with 26 goals in 12 games.
The Earthquakes also lead the league for xG and big chances created.
At the other end of the pitch, however, they have allowed plenty of chances and have the second-highest xG conceded in the league.
Their own Argentine attacker, Christian Espinoza, is always one of the outstanding players in MLS, regardless of San Jose’s form.
He’s created the most chances in the league this season with 44, some way ahead of second-placed Albert Rusnak of Seattle, who’s on 33.
Meanwhile, striker Cristian Arango is level with Brian White, Tai Baribo, and Hugo Cuypers at the top of the MLS goalscoring charts on eight.
Like Minnesota, they’ll also pose a set-piece threat, having scored five goals from such situations.
It should make for a high-scoring game in which Bruce Arena’s San Jose side will fancy their chances against this struggling Inter Miami defence.
Prediction
Could another disappointing defeat be on the cards for Inter Miami? A draw could be the more likely result in California, and given the way these teams are playing, a high-scoring one at that.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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