Inter Miami defensive vows are getting worse with the star defender’s season-ending torn ACL injury, denting their MLS campaign despite leading the table.
Table toppers Inter Miami suffers a huge blow as their defensive leader Nicolas Freire tears his ACL, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
However, Freire sustained the season-ending injury against DC United, which saw his side securing a 1-0 victory with a goal from Leonardo Campana in extra time. However, Freire sustained the season-ending injury. Freire would have to undergo surgery at Baptist Health and continue further treatment as per the club’s communications department.
Liga MX team Pumas UNAM, Loanee Freire, had a great start to the 2024 season playing a crucial in Inter Miami’s success. He has started nine out of ten games playing an overall of 740 minutes on the pitch.
His passing has been exquisite with a 92 percent accuracy this season, significantly contributing to Inter Miami’s gameplay. The 31 points gathered so far, is among the highest in the MLS standings, but still just hold a one-point lead over FC Cincinnati.
Inter Miami’s season so far as Messi shines
Miami have been clinical in front of goal, as they are the top scorers in the league with 36 goals. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been instrumental up front, with the former Barcelona duo scoring a total of 21 goals combined.
An unprecedented eight-match winning streak took them to joint top with a team in MLS history. Their dominance in the league even spread to the international stage by reaching the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Despite their effort, they were eliminated by a dominant Monterrey side.
Injuries this season became frequent for the Messi-led side affecting their lineup and performance. Added to Freire’s season-ending ACL injury, other notable players absentees include Facundo Farias, who suffered a season-long knee injury in January, and Diego Gomez, spraining his ankle in April.
Robbie Robinson has also missed games from early 2024 due to a calf injury. Messi however continues to fight making key contributions to the team’s performance.
The team can fall back on Tomas Aviles and Sergii Kryvtsov as the primary centre-back pairs in the absence of Freire. Miami’s new 25-year-old defensive addition, Ryan Sailor, played four games for the club this season.
As transfer rumors have been making the rounds, head coach Tata Martino mentioned that various names could better the squad depth. PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been linked to Miami, among other potential names, as they eye reinforcements during the coming transfer window, between July 18 and August 14.
“Several names will pop up,” Martino told the media. At this moment, we have a couple of months until the window opens; we’re not thinking about that right now.”
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