Vancouver Whitecaps Expose Aging Inter Miami in Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinal

Posted : 01 May 2025

Lionel Messi looked visibly disheartened as he exited the pitch following Inter Miami’s crushing 3-1 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal second leg. The result completed a 5-1 aggregate victory for the Canadian team and underlined a significant gulf in energy and cohesion between the two sides.

Inter Miami, built around an aging core of former Barcelona stars like Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, were consistently outpaced and outplayed by Vancouver’s youthful, dynamic lineup.

While Miami had found success last season by securing the Supporters’ Shield with a record-setting MLS campaign, their reliance on veteran players seems to have backfired this year. Suárez, now 38, struggled to keep up with the pace, often unable to find the spaces he once thrived in.

Busquets no longer resembles the midfield anchor he used to be, and Alba's defensive responsibilities appear diminished, even if he still offers an attacking spark. Although Messi can still conjure moments of brilliance, he is now surrounded by teammates who can no longer consistently execute at a high-intensity level.

Vancouver’s coach Jesper Sorensen acknowledged the advantage his side had in terms of youth and stamina, praising his players' ability to exploit the spaces left open by Miami’s static forward line.

The Whitecaps ran relentlessly, particularly in the second half, where their pressing and pace carved open a Miami side that lacked balance and cohesion. Fox analyst Warren Barton summed it up bluntly, stating that Inter Miami "can’t run, can’t defend," as five attackers were often left upfield while the rest were left scrambling defensively.

With the Concacaf dream over, coach Javier Mascherano will now look to refocus his team on the MLS season and prepare for the looming FIFA Club World Cup in June. Miami will face a challenging path, beginning with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, followed by potential meetings with Porto and Palmeiras.

If their recent performances are any indication, they risk being exposed on the world stage. The defeat also casts a shadow over MLS's broader ambitions, as the league’s poster club begins to look like a cautionary tale in over-relying on aging superstars rather than building for the future.

Vancouver Whitecaps Expose Aging Inter Miami in Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinal

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