Inter Miami were the outright best attacking Major League Soccer team in 2024. The Herons managed an impressive 79 goals scored during 34 regular season games, which was the most in MLS.
Miami's superstars in Lionel Messi and Luis Suàrez accounted for 40 goals between themselves as the Herons lifted the Supporters' Shield and set a new single-season record for points with 74. Everything was fine in the final third for the most part, but it couldn't been more different on the defensive end of the pitch.
For starters, Miami boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino dealt with injuries and suspensions in defense through the campaign. Fullbacks Jordi Alba, Franco Negri and Marcelo Weigandt were fit and firing for most of the season, but the center back department experienced the most turmoil through injury.
Nicolás Freire—who was on loan from Liga MX side Pumas UNAM—was becoming a regular in the Miami backline before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in mid-May. River Play loanee David Martínez also suffered spells out on the sideline and the same can be said for veteran defender Serhiy Kryvstov.
Still, the Herons had enough quality in Tomás Avilés, Noah Allen and Ian Fray to get results over the line. Miami's defensive woes were largely masked by the immense attacking talent up front which was exposed in the team's Round One series defeat to Atlanta United.
