Campeones Cup, Nashville rematch highlight Inter Miami's September schedule

Blowout win, coaching change signal better things for Inter Miami

The Herons will be happy to leave August behind them. Las Garzas won just two of eight matches in all competitions, failed to advance in the Leagues Cup tournament and dropped 10 of a possible 15 points in Major League Soccer action.

Inter Miami went to Nashville for an Aug. 15 match playing for first place in the Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield races, but the Coyotes drubbed the Herons 4-1. By the end of the month Nashville -- on pace to break Inter Miami's record for points in a season -- expanded its lead over Las Garzas from two to 10 points.

While disappointing, the slump hasn't been disastrous; the Herons (12-4-6, 42 points) remain in second place in the East and third overall with 12 matches remaining. Inter Miami plays four of its five MLS matches in September -- including the rematch with Nashville -- at home, and has an opportunity to win a trophy, the Campeones Cup, on Sept. 16 against Cruz Azul.

On Saturday, Lionel Messi led the Herons to a 7-1 whipping of CF Montréal to end the month with a much-needed morale boost. The captain scored four goals, moving him into first place in the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 goals in league play, and his 10th assist. Interim coach Guillermo Hoyos moved Casemiro from defensive midfielder to center back, and the former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Brazil star responded with his first MLS goal, an impressive header. First-year homegrown star Alexander Shaw scored his first senior team goal, and Luis Suárez was the beneficiary of Messi's helper.

New manager Kily González will replace Hoyos on the bench as soon as he receives the necessary work permits; hopefully the blowout of L'Impact and a fresh vision for the team will help the Pink & Black find its stride as the regular season begins to wind down.

The Herons will host former Inter Miami coach Tata Martinez on Saturday when Atlanta United visits Nu Stadium. Martinez guided the Herons to the 2023 Leagues Cup title and won the Supporters' Shield in 2024 with a record 74 regular season points; he resigned after the season ended with a surprising playoff loss to goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Atlanta United (who Martino had led to an MLS Cup championship in 2018).

Four days later, Las Garzas travel to Chicago to play Greg Berhalter's Fire, which has climbed into third in the East, just five points behind the Herons.

Inter Miami's September schedule

Saturday -- vs. Atlanta United (6-13-3, 21 points)

Sept. 9 -- at Chicago Fire (11-6-4, 37 points)

Sept. 12 -- vs. Nashville (16-2-4, 52 points)

Sept. 16 -- CAMPEONES CUP vs. Cruz Azul

Sept. 20 -- vs. San Diego (8-8-6, 30 points)

Sept. 27 -- at Columbus Crew (5-12-5, 20 points)

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