Inter Miami’s Focus on Recovery Ahead of Seattle Sounders Match
Javier Mascherano, the head coach of Inter Miami, has dismissed any ongoing issues with the Seattle Sounders ahead of their match at Chase Stadium, emphasizing that the events following the Leagues Cup final on August 31 are now history. In that final, Miami suffered a significant 3-0 defeat to Seattle, which resulted in a chaotic confrontation post-game, featuring notable incidents such as Sergio Busquets punching Seattle’s Obed Vargas and Luis Suárez spitting at a staff member. Following the altercation, disciplinary actions were swiftly taken against several players, including match suspensions for Busquets, Suárez, and Tomás Avilés from future Leagues Cup matches. Furthermore, Suárez has been handed a three-game ban by Major League Soccer, rendering him ineligible for the current showdown against Seattle.
“That’s all behind us. Even if we play against the same team again, every match is unique due to varying factors. What’s crucial now is to focus on delivering a strong performance and securing a win, which will help us regain our confidence after our recent losses.”
In light of the earlier situation, both Suárez and the team have acknowledged their mistakes regarding the incidents during the final. Mascherano reiterated,
“What occurred against Seattle is behind us, especially since the disciplinary measures have already been taken.”
As Inter Miami seeks to bounce back from their recent defeats—including a 3-0 loss to Charlotte FC last Saturday—they face significant challenges, particularly due to ongoing injuries impacting their lineup.
“It’s definitely challenging. We find ourselves facing similar issues as earlier in the season, with injuries and suspensions leading to five or six key players absent,”
Mascherano remarked, highlighting the strain on the team. He pointed out that their situation might actually be worse than it was during the last match.
Absences include key players such as Fafà Picault, David Ruiz, Allen Obando, and Baltasar Rodriguez. On top of that, he noted that Telasco Segovia also missed the initial portion of Monday’s training. As the match against Seattle approaches, Miami is working hard to navigate these difficulties and aim for recovery in the league standings.
Overall, tensions appear to have eased for Inter Miami, with a focus now centered on their recovery and performance in upcoming matches.
