GOAL takes a look at how each MLS club fared in the Group Stage of the competition, grading their performance and offering a brief analysis
What Inter Miami accomplished in the Club World Cup group stage was nothing short of historic. With their win over Porto on Matchday 2, they became the first CONCACAF club to defeat a UEFA opponent in official competition. They followed that up with a hard-fought draw against Palmeiras, one of South America’s top sides – a performance that underscored their growth and ambition. Inside the club, everyone understood the magnitude of what they’d achieved.
"It is historic for MLS to have a team through to the last 16," manager Javier Mascherano said after the game. "We are one of the best 16 teams in the world so we will look to continue."
For Major League Soccer’s other representatives, the joy of the Club World Cup vanished quickly.
“All around disappointing,” said LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo after a shocking defeat to Tunisian side Esperance eliminated his team just two games into the group stage. “Individually and collectively, our second-half performance just wasn’t good enough. The level is very high – poor halves get punished, and that’s what happened.”
The Seattle Sounders, by contrast, went down swinging. Drawn into the group of death alongside global heavyweights, they exceeded expectations and earned praise from PSG manager Luis Enrique after a spirited showing on Matchday 3.
“They competed really well, they played great football,” Enrique said. “We knew Seattle would bring intensity. They have quality players – it wasn’t an easy match.”
Overall, MLS can keep its head held high with the performances shown at the Club World Cup. With Inter Miami advancing, now carry the league’s hopes into the knockout rounds – and it’s up to Lionel Messi and company to keep the momentum going.
GOAL reflects on how each MLS team fared throughout the opening stage of the competition, looking at their top performer and more as the knockout rounds of the competition loom.
Getty Images SportLAFC
Grade: D
Group Stage recap: 2-0 loss to Chelsea, 1-0 loss to Esperance de Tunis, 1-1 draw vs Flamengo
Tournament MVP: The full-time whistle
Performance analysis: Practically nothing went right for LAFC in the competition. Against Chelsea, they had a few bright moments, but were completely overwhelmed in possession and off the ball against the English club. After coming into the competition as late entrants, there was a clear pathway for them to advance out of the group, but they never took it. Their Matchday 2 performance against Esperance was nothing short of embarrassing; they failed to register a single shot on target until stoppage time, and they were then handed a penalty kick with the final opportunity of the match to secure a point, and Denis Bouanga's poor attempt was saved.
Sure, they got a point against Flamengo — which is a good result and helps the team leave the tournament with pride. But at the same time, the Brazilian side was already through, and they knew they only needed a draw to finish first in the group.
Showing up after already being eliminated shouldn't be praised. LAFC should, rightfully, be embarrassed.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportSeattle Sounders
Grade: C+
Group Stage recap: 2-1 loss to Botafogo, 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid, 2-0 loss to PSG
Tournament MVP: Cristian Roldan
Performance analysis: Seattle played one hell of a second half against Botafogo in their opener. Cristian Roldan became a man possessed and scored a goal that brought them back into the match, and they nearly earned a draw as a result!
Against Atletico, the Sounders were once again rather resilient. They conceded early and bounced back well to go into the half down just one goal. After Atleti doubled their lead two minutes into the second half, they responded with a goal of their own, but the La Liga side extinguished their flame five minutes later with their third, the dagger. Once again, though, it wasn't a really performance — they played well. Notably, rising midfielder Obed Vargas had a standout performance, as the 19-year-old put in an admirable showing against Diego Simeone's men.
Perhaps Seattle's best game of the Group Stage came against the reigning European Champions in PSG, though. They held them to just two goals, and put forth a midfield performance that was both admirable and, well, sad to watch (PSG are really, really good. Don't take this the wrong way, Seattle, but you looked like a JV team scrimmaging varsity).
Manager Brian Schmetzer should feel good about this as they head back into the MLS season, and his squad should too. Valuable experience and a really impressive effort from them.
AFPInter Miami
Grade: B+
Group Stage recap: Drew Al Ahly 0-0, defeated FC Porto 2-1, drew Palmeiras 2-2
Tournament MVP: Lionel Messi
Performance analysis: The opening game against Al Ahly, by all accounts, was underwhelming. Oscar Ustari's penalty kick save is what earned them a point, and the Egyptian powerhouse was truly the better side across all 90 minutes. However, they turned a new leaf and came in with a different mentality against Porto.
A pretty bland first half saw Porto take an early lead just eight minutes in and coast to halftime. Then, Miami was a different team across the final 45 minutes. Telasco Segovia drew them level, and then Leo Messi himself scored a trademark free kick to secure them all three points. Mascherano made some monumental changes at the break, and it absolutely paid off for the South Beach club to secure a truly historic victory.
Against Palmeiras, Miami went up 2-0 and collapsed late, conceding twice after the Brazilian side put on the pressure late. It was another really impressive showing, but they did show their flaws at the end – and defensive collapses have been an all-too-familiar theme for the club over the past 12 months.
Overall, though, well done. Undefeated across the Group Stage and into the knockouts, Miami impressed and deserves to be recognized for how monumental of an achievement this is for both the club and MLS.
Getty Images SportWhat's next?
Miami will be put to the test in the Round of 16 when they're paired up against reigning European Champions Paris Saint-Germain. A former club of Messi's, the Argentine has gone on the record multiple times about his disdain for the time he spent in Ligue 1 with them, meaning there will be a feisty matchup on the cards.
"In the end, what Leo wants is to win games, like the great player that he is. I know the feelings he has towards Barça, where we play together, but not towards PSG," defender Jordi Alba said ahead of the match.
"He was there for two years, and only he knows what happened. What is clear is that it will be a hard-fought match, and hopefully we can ring the bell, knowing the difficulty involved in playing with these types of teams."
Midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi added that are cognizant of the fact that the Parisian side is the favorite heading into the chance, but that Miami are going into the contest knowing they've already achieved great heights, so they have nothing to lose regardless of the outcome.
“We know they’re the best team in Europe – and we know that for a fact,” Cremaschi explained on podcast. “We’re ready to compete the way we’ve been competing. I don’t think we need to shy down from anything. I feel like we’ve been competing at a good level, and we saw Botafogo do it, so why can’t we?
"And Botafogo is a team which competes a lot, which runs a lot, defends very well. I think if we kind of just mimic that and compete the way we’re competing and play the way we’re playing, and you never know, something could happen. We could do something. And we have nothing to lose, so we’re going to go full and see what happens.”
The Eastern Conference MLS franchise will take on PSG on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at noon ET, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals of the competition.
Seattle and LAFC, meanwhile, return to MLS action for Matchday 21 of the season this weekend.
