Can Inter Miami continue preseason ‘Americas Tour’ success today in Panama? | OneFootball

So far, so good. Inter Miami has played preseason friendlies against defending champions from Mexico and Peru; the Herons played Liga MX’s Club America and Peru Liga 1’s to full-time draws and won penalty shootouts against each. The “America’s Tour” preseason series continues at 5 p.m. ET today when the Pink and Black take the pitch against Sporting San Miguelito at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez in Panama City.

Sporting San Miguelito vs. Inter Miami — 5 p.m. ET Sunday — Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez, Panama City

Inter Miami and Universitario played to a scoreless draw before second-year defensive midfielder Yannick Bright’s kick gave the Herons a 0-0 (5-4) victory. Inter Miami won its the first match of its “Americas Tour” preseason series in similar fashion, 2-2 (3-2) against defending Mexican champion Club America on Jan. 18 in Las Vegas.

The match against Universitario, which will be defending its Peru Ligue 1 title this year, was the first match in the Herons’ preseason “Americas Tour.”

Oscar Ustari’s performance at goalkeeper was the brightest of several bright spots for the South Florida side. The 38-year-old Argentine started for incumbent Drake Callender, who missed his second straight match after being injured while training with the U.S. Men’s National Team in January. While Callender is among the best shot-stoppers in Major League Soccer, he needs to improve his instincts, skill with his feet, and ball distribution to keep his starting role.

In the offseason, Inter Miami re-signed Ustari and brought in another Argentine, 22-year-old Rocco Rios Novo, to challenge Callender. Against Aguilas, Rocco dropped a ball in front of net that turned into a score but saved two (poor) penalties. He showed confidence, something Callender seems to lack at times, but he didn’t look ready to start. Ustari, on the other hand, played with confidence and poise; he didn’t make any spectacular saves or block any of Universitario’s penalties, but he never was out of position, never had to scramble for the ball. He was calm with the ball at his feet, helping the Herons build from the back and making safe, accurate passes.

Ustari hasn’t won the starting spot — yet — but he’ll push Callender, the only player left from Miami’s first roster, to up his game.

More observations from Peru

Sound defense. First-year Herons’ coach Javier Mascherano was among the best center backs of his generation and played at the game’s highest level, so it’s no surprise the back line is playing with compactness and discipline. Left wing back Jordi Alba, left center back Noah Allen, right center back Tomas Aviles and right wing back Chelo Weigandt were solid in front of Ustari.

Allen fighting for starting role. While he prefers to play on the left wing, former coach Tata Martino used the 20-year-old homegrown player from Pembroke Pines primarily at center back. When healthy, 27-year-old Argentine David Martinez started alongside “Toto” Aviles after arriving in Miami last year. Martinez or newly signed Uruguayan Maxi Falcon, also 27, is expected to start, but Allen is playing his way into the conversation. At worst, Allen is showing the position, considered a weakness a year ago, will be a strength in 2025.

Don’t judge Allende yet. Allende, a 25-year-old Argentine winger, was awful in his unofficial debut for Inter Miami in Lima, but there are mitigating circumstances. He wasn’t expected to play because of unresolved visa issues. I’m not sure how much he’d been able to practice with the squad before the Universitario match, but consider that he didn’t sign until Jan. 14, he suddenly finds himself in the same locker room with players he must have idolized in his youth (Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Alba) and thrust into the global spotlight focused on Inter Miami’s project. Learning he would start the Universitario match in an attacking frontline with Messi and Suarez in front of 80,000 passionate spectators at Estadio Monumental, it’s understandable that nerves would exacerbate any unfamiliarity Allende has with his new teammates. It’s way too soon to pass judgment on a promising young player.

Offense struggles. Inter Miami scored 79 goals, most in MLS last year, with Messi and Suarez leading the way. The Pink and Black’s attack will be fine but, in two preseason games it has failed to find any kind of consistency. Suarez repeatedly showed frustration with Fafà Picault and Allende for poor passes or questionable decisions, but the venerable striker looked sluggish on the pitch and missed Messi with a chip pass the pair of completed hundreds of times with Barcelona and Inter Miami. We don’t need to see perfection today, but the offense needs to show improvement.