No Lionel Messi, no problem for Inter Miami CF.
Miami’s title defense is off to an impeccable start with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Club Puebla in the 2024 Leagues Cup opener at Chase Stadium to maintain the club’s perfect record in the tournament.
Miami’s starting lineup incorporated a couple of exciting inclusions: the club debut of center back David Martinez and the Leagues Cup debut of legendary Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez — who needed his knee inflammation evaluated “up to the last minute” according to head coach Tata Martino, eventually passing the necessary tests to earn the starting nod.
Miami got off to a fast start, nearly scoring through an offside Marcelo Weigandt in the third minute before Matías Rojas opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a thunderbolt off his powerful left foot. Inaugural Leagues Cup breakout star Robert Taylor produced the assist but the goal’s creation was courtesy of an intelligent interception by rookie Yannick Bright — a key player to Miami’s system of play on the night — who quickly progressed the ball to Taylor.
Kevin Velasco kept Puebla dangerous in transition while the team earned a few dangerous free-kick opportunities late in the half, but was unable to capitalize.
In the second half, Miami’s Barcelona boys linked up to punish La Franja for their lack of clinicality when Jordi Alba broke down the left wing, drawing out Puebla goalkeeper Miguel Jiménez, and crossing the assist for Suárez, who was in on an empty net to double the lead.
The impressive blend between experienced veterans like Alba, Suárez, and Sergio Busquets with talented youngsters like Bright, Weigandt, and Federico Redondo proved too much for Los Camoteros to overcome in the match as Miami goalkeeper C.J. Dos Santos recorded a clean sheet in his Leagues Cup debut.
Miami will now get a full week’s rest ahead of another major MLS vs. LIGA MX clash next Saturday against Tigres UANL with the top spot in the group on the line.
