Whitecaps take advantage at home as Messi, Suárez and Busquets fail to respond; Mascherano accepts full responsibility.
Inter Miami’s hopes of reaching the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup suffered a serious blow on Thursday night, falling 2–0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the semifinals at BC Place. Goals from Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter gave the Canadian side a commanding lead ahead of next week’s second leg in Miami.
Despite fielding a star-studded lineup that included Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami failed to generate significant danger in the final third and were punished on the counter by a disciplined and aggressive Vancouver team.
Brian White opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a well-placed header following a fluid attacking sequence. The goal gave Vancouver an early lead they would never relinquish. In the 85th minute, Berhalter capped off a sharp counterattack to double the advantage, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Messi and Inter Miami Held Scoreless Again
Reigning MLS MVP Lionel Messi was once again unable to find the net, extending his scoreless streak to three matches. The Argentine forward had limited impact against a physical Vancouver defense, and his frustration was evident as the minutes wore on.
Inter Miami controlled possession early but lacked clarity in the final third. The team’s passing was predictable and often met with tight defensive pressure, while Vancouver exploited the spaces left behind during transitions.
Head coach Javier Mascherano, who played alongside Messi during their years at FC Barcelona and with the Argentina national team, took full responsibility after the loss.
“We must learn as a team from tonight and find a way to come back on Wednesday,” Mascherano told reporters. “We lost today, and I’m the one primarily responsible. I continue to believe in this team.”
Mascherano Criticized for Inaction
Mascherano faced criticism from fans and pundits alike for not adjusting his tactics or making timely substitutions, especially as veteran players like Suárez and Busquets appeared overmatched by the pace of Vancouver’s midfield and defense.
Supporters were particularly frustrated by the lack of bench involvement, given Inter Miami’s recent decisions at the MLS transfer deadline, which saw key squad players like Robert Taylor and Julian Gressel leave the club. With few attacking alternatives, the team was left searching for answers in the final minutes.
Still, Mascherano drew some optimism from his team’s previous comeback against LAFC in the quarterfinals. Inter Miami lost the first leg 1–0 in Los Angeles and fell behind 2–0 on aggregate in the return leg before rallying for a 3–2 win at Chase Stadium.
Second Leg Set for Miami Next Week
Despite the uphill battle, Inter Miami will return home with confidence that a two-goal deficit is not insurmountable, especially with 90 minutes left to play in front of their fans. Messi and company will look to channel their previous comeback spirit in what promises to be a decisive night in Miami.
The winner of the semifinal will advance to face either Tigres UANL or Cruz Azul, who played to a 1–1 draw in the first leg of the other semifinal.