Inter Miami CF have undoubtedly improved during Phase 1 of the revised MLS season that started last month. But heading into Wednesday night's home match against Atlanta United (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US and DAZN in Canada), they still need to figure out the final third.
Obviously, a widely reported potential move for Juventus and Argentina national team forward Gonzalo Higuain would go a long way toward solving those problems. But the star striker isn't in South Beach yet, and if when he does arrive, it may take some time to assimilate to his new club. And a shortened and compact MLS schedule will move on, meaning a Miami side that has earned two points despite going scoreless in its last three matches can't trust on waiting for help.
“We’re working on being stronger in attack," manager Diego Alonso said through an interpreter. "We’ve depended on (Rodolfo) Pizarro, who is our leading scorer, but we want to share the goals among more players. We’ve been able to generate many chances, but what has hurt us is that we’re not lethal in front of goal. We’re working on finishing chances.”
To be sure, the "missed chances" lament can also be used to boost confidence for an attack that isn't functioning. But in this case, the facts back up Alonso's claim.
Miami has missed nine clear scoring chances over their three match scoreless stretch (per Opta), including five alone in a 0-0 home draw against Nashville SC on Sunday.
And the idea that the addition of another former Juventus midfielder, French World Cup-winner Blaise Matuidi, would not provide offensive help has proven unfounded, particularly with how the box-to-box midfielder has shown the potential to help free up space for more attack-minded players Pizarro and Juan Agudelo.
The latter has seen potential for exceptional combination play between Matuidi and left back Ben Sweat down the left flank.
“It’s something that can become extremely dangerous moving forward," Agudelo said. "You could tell there were situations where I was in the pocket and I was understanding where Blaise was able to play that ball, then when it comes to me, helps me spring Ben on.”
That doesn't make the recent futility less frustrating, however.
“As an experienced player, you see these things happen with other teams," Agudelo said. "Once you get that first goal, the floodgates open. What’s encouraging is that we’re creating those opportunities.”
