Midseason report: Grading the Herons and what to expect down the stretch | OneFootball

Club World Cup performances could be just what Inter Miami needs

My goal for Inter Miami heading into the Club World Cup was simple: Don't get embarrassed on the global stage. Los Garzas not only have avoided humiliation, but a win later today would send them through to the knockout stages. No matter what happens tonight against Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras, Miami's sensational second half against Al-Ahly to preserve a scoreless draw, and its 2-1 come-from-behind win against Porto in Atlanta -- the first competitive win by a Major League Soccer team against a European club -- should give the Pink plenty of confidence heading into the second half of the 2025 season.

The Herons started showing signs of revival in May, with a 3-3 draw in Philadelphia and home wins against Montreal (4-2) and Columbus (5-1), improving their record to 8-3-5 for 29 points in 16 matches. MLS didn't stop play for the Club World Cup, though, so Miami has dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference while teams with more games played have moved up -- all five teams ahead of the Herons have played two more matches. Miami still is in position to grab a playoff spot.

Inter Miami is scheduled to host Atlanta on Saturday as it resumes its MLS slate, but that match likely would be rescheduled if the Herons do manage to advance in the Cup tournament.

So, what's left to play for? A lot, actually, despite the crushing disappointment of losing to Vancouver in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals and a stretch of eight matches with just one win. Anything that happens with the Club World Cup is a bonus; we are fortunate to be able to enjoy this competition, but we've never had a reasonable expectation of winning.

That leaves Leagues Cup (Inter Miami's first match is against Atlas July 30), MLS Supporters Shield and the MLS Cup. Some supporters are downplaying the Leagues Cup because we already have one (2023, our first major trophy). Come on. They play it every year -- whether they should or not is another conversation -- they play it every year, against quality Liga MX competition, it's a trophy we can win, why not win it? Let's be a little bit greedy!

We won the Supporters Shield last year (while earning a single season MLS record 74 points) and no, it's not a championship, but it shows a commitment to excellence over the course of the whole season. Again, why not go for it? That trophy case isn't going to fill itself.

All that said, I think we all agree that winning a league championship is the top priority down the stretch. And, unlike the Club World Cup, bringing an MLS Cup to South Florida is a very realistic possibility.