Benjamin Cremaschi shines abroad while Inter Miami collapses in midfield

Inter Miami is out of the Supporters’ Shield race after their painful loss against the Chicago Fire by a 5-3 score. Luis Suarez and Tomas Aviles scored for the Herons, but none of that mattered as the defensive flaws of Las Garzas overshadowed any good action from the squad.

With Sergio Busquets' retirement news, Miami will come up short in midfield next season. Maybe sending Benjamin Cremaschi on a loan to Parma wasn’t the best option.

The current defensive situation of the Herons could indicate that keeping Cremaschi to help cover the spaces that Rodrigo De Paul and Yannick Bright can’t get.

Nevertheless, in midfield, Inter Miami is like a strainer for pasta; anyone passes through without a problem, while the youngsters are proving their value in the sub-20 World Cup.

Benjamin Cremaschi shines with the US under-20s team.

The circumstances leading to Benja Cremaschi’s departure began even before Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over LA Galaxy. During a post-practice press conference, the now Parma player admitted that he attends matches without knowing whether or where he will play.

In some ways, this was true. During the games, you could see Cremaschi playing on the wings, as a midfielder, as a pivot, or even higher as a false striker. The player is right, it is very hard to prepare mentally for a game if you don’t know what your position is going to be.

However, the issue came when Mascherano gave a press conference after the victory against the Galaxy, where he said that his door is always open. Weeks passed, and Benjamin Cremaschi was being sent to Italy on loan.

It's hard not to connect the dots and think that, in effect, Mascherano essentially pushed the U.S. player out of the Herons. Nevertheless, the Herons are struggling in the midfield in the game's second half.

Busquets is short of air, Bright has no legs (sometimes), and De Paul’s level is lowering, which led one to wonder if Benja couldn’t have helped bring some freshness to the midfield coming off the bench.

One thing is clear: two days ago, Cremaschi scored a hat-trick in the under-20s World Cup, playing as a midfielder. That goal projection and playing style would have been beneficial for Las Garzas if the Jefecito had just put the former Inter Miami academy player in his natural position.

Also, you have considered the tight schedule where the Herons are clearing suffering. With little rotation, Inter Miami sold its two midfield replacements. Fine, you brought in Silvetti and Baltasar Rodríguez, but they are wingers; you don’t have quality substitutes to play as midfielders.