Messi, Suarez Lead Team Meeting After Miami’s Worst Loss

MIAMI, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez held a players-only meeting after Inter Miami‘s disappointing 3-0 loss to Orlando City last weekend. This defeat marked Miami’s fifth defeat in their last seven matches and contributed to their recent exit from the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Twenty-two-year-old defender Ian Fray spoke to reporters on Friday about the heightened intensity during training sessions this week. Miami is set to face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening. “This week has been the hardest week of training I think we’ve had all season,” Fray said. “The guys have really come together, and the intensity has been high.”

When asked about the change in attitude from head coach Javier Mascherano, Fray stated, “No, not really. We all know we’re not in a good moment.” Mascherano himself acknowledged the need for increased intensity but stopped short of officially declaring a shift in focus. “Perhaps, yes,” he replied when questioned about the emphasis on intensity.

Following the Orlando defeat, Fray mentioned that Messi and Suarez emphasized the need to turn their performance around. “We have players here who maybe know how to turn things like this around,” he said. “It’s on us to do that.”

Messi, who has shown signs of growing frustration, has clashed with match officials in previous games, including a heated exchange with referee Joe Dickerson after a 3-3 draw with San Jose. “The truth is it hurts to lose another game,” Messi said in an interview with Apple TV. He urged his team to keep working and prepare for upcoming matches, including the Club World Cup.

Miami’s defensive struggles have been glaring. The team has allowed 20 goals over the last seven games. Coach Mascherano has struggled to find the right in-game adjustments to turn the club’s fortunes around. “Unfortunately, we can’t afford the mistakes we make,” he admitted, noting that the team’s confidence has visibly dropped.

Miami currently sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia leads the standings with 29 points. The upcoming match could be critical for Miami as they look to improve their performance and regain their standing in the league.