Inter Miami 1-1 Columbus Crew: Analysis, Notes, and Observations
Taking a closer look at the Herons' stalemate in the 2022 Carolina Challenge Cup opener
Gonzalo Higuain may be Inter Miami’s best finisher, but he might also be the team’s best playmaker.
Saturday served as a reminder of that.
Inter Miami opened the 2022 Carolina Challenge Cup with a 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew on Saturday afternoon, and one of the biggest takeaways from the friendly was how Higuain was utilized. The Argentine was deployed as one of two center forwards in the South Florida side’s new 5-3-2 formation, but he had the tactical freedom to drop back into the midfield and roam around to try to get on the ball.
He dropped very deep at times.
While that allowed for Higuain to get his share of touches, it did not always prove fruitful. Higuain’s decision-making was erratic, as on more than one occasion he opted to dribble into a sea of Crew players before losing possession cheaply rather than passing wide to right wingback DeAndre Yedlin or back to a midfielder to keep the attacking sequence going.
Still, Higuain has the talent to make the difference and he did just that in the 59th minute. He collected a pass centrally, instantly recognized the darting run Ariel Lassiter was making down the right, and proceeded to hit an inch-perfect pass in between two defenders for a scoring opportunity that was fired home.
That play nearly held up as the winner and is the type of magic that Higuain will be expected to produce if he continues to play as a more withdrawn forward. Higuain is wearing the No. 10 these days, and he is playing a bit more like one, too.
Defensive solidity continues in the 5-3-2
Despite initially taking the lead, Inter Miami once again this preseason did not offer a whole lot with the ball. The Herons were unable to generate many quality scoring chances, and got out-possessed for large stretches by a sharp Crew side that in stark contrast circulated the ball well.
What allowed Inter Miami to jump out in front, however, was how defensively solid the team continued to be. Playing in the new 5-3-2 formation, the South Florida side clogged the central areas and barely gave up anything at the back thanks to the type of organized and determined defending that has been common this preseason.
Inter Miami ultimately surrendered an equalizer, but that came late on after the game was condition by a slew of substitutions on both sides. Prior to that, Inter Miami was largely stingy in the defensive third and on the way to posting a cleansheet.
The foundation is being laid for the team to try and be more competitive than it was in a 2021 season that saw Inter Miami get blown out several times. There is still plenty to work on in terms of playing with the ball, but without it the team has to this point been superb.
“If we had to say what was the biggest highlight for us, I would say it was just how stable and solid we looked defensively without the ball,” said assistant coach Jason Kreis. “That is always fruitful as a coach when you put so much emphasis as we have over the past several weeks on what we are doing without the ball.”
Lowe stands out in sweeper role
While the team in general did well defensively, no one was better in that regard than Damion Lowe. Playing as the sweeper in the back five for the second straight game, Lowe impressed with how he provided timely coverage for teammates, fared in 1-on-1 battles, anticipated plays, and cleared crosses both in the air and on the ground.
The veteran centerback only recently joined up with his new Inter Miami teammates after representing Jamaica in the last international window, but it is looking more and more like he will be a starter in the season opener on Feb. 26.
“I think he was fantastic,” said Kreis. “I have been really, really impressed with what he has brought to our team on the field, but also what he has brought to the team from an off the field perspective with his leadership and communication.”
Injuries continue to pile up
Victor Ulloa became the latest member of Inter Miami’s walking wounded, which continues to grow in numbers.
Ulloa came out of the game in the first half with a calf strain that is not expected to be too serious, but nonetheless he now joins Nick Marsman, Robbie Robinson, Joevin Jones, Mo Adams, Bryce Duke, and Emerson Rodriguez on the trainer’s table.
“There is a little bit of thought right now about having a few too many guys out injured,” said Kreis. “That is a little something that is on our minds: How can we get these guys back fit and how can we keep them fit throughout the season?”
Other notes:
Leonardo Campana made his first appearance this preseason and showed some positives with how he used his size and quickly moved the ball. He was largely starved of service and a non-factor, however.
DeAndre Yedlin also played for the first time in Inter Miami colors and was equally as ineffective, though that is understandable given how new he is to the team and how much he has to learn about his teammates’ styles of play.
Veteran goalkeeper Clement Diop had some nice interventions, but he should have done better with his parry on Derrick Etienne’s rebounded equalizer.
Christopher McVey was defensively the shakiest of the three centerbacks and a bit fortunate not to get sent off for a stray elbow that went to VAR.
Fort Lauderdale CF’s Noah Allen held up decently at left wingback in his initial look with the first team, effectively taking up higher positions to provide width to the attack while also tracking back to help put out fires when needed.