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Can Inter Miami stay focused against the Revolution?

The Herons start a string of four matches in 11 days tonight while online pundits flood the internet with transfer window chatter: DePaul to Miami? Busquets to retire? We try to keep up.
ByKen Garner|
Inter Miami CF players, from left, Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia and Benjamin Cremaschi, celebrate Saturday after a Messi goal against CF Montreal. Mandatory Credit
Inter Miami CF players, from left, Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia and Benjamin Cremaschi, celebrate Saturday after a Messi goal against CF Montreal. Mandatory Credit | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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Inter Miami begins critical four-game stretch tonight

All is right in Heron Nation for the moment: Miami decisively defeated CF Montreal on Saturday, signaling a successful reset after an unexpectedly good showing at the Club World Cup. Los Garzas (9-3-5, 32 points) have won three straight Major League Soccer matches and lost just once in its last eight outings and are sixth in in the Eastern Conference, 10 points behind league-leading FC Cincinnati. And, having played four fewer matches than the five sides above them, an in-form Inter Miami should again compete for a Supporter's Shield and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs.

Inter Miami CF (9-3-5, 32 pts.) at New England Revolution (6-7-6, 24); 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.; Apple TV-MLS Season Pass

The Herons hope to continue that climb up the standings with a win tonight against New England (6-7-6, 24). Tonight's road match against the Revolution, who are 11th in the East, is the first of four matches in 11 days for Miami and the first of three on the road in that stretch. Pink & Black rival Nashville SC visits Chase Stadium on Saturday with what currently is the second-best record in MLS (41 points). League leader FC Cincinnati (42 points) will host the Herons next Wednesday, July 16, and the Men in Pink visit New Jersey to play the New York Red Bulls (30 points) on July 19.

What about Rodrigo De Paul? and related roster rumors

Fabrizio Romano -- the Italian sports journalist known for reporting the most transfer rumors more quickly and more accurately than his competition -- hasn't blessed the Rodrigo De Paul move from Atletico Madrid to Inter Miami with his famous "Here we go!" but, at this writing, he believes it will happen.

If De Paul agrees to join Inter Miami, and the Herons and Atleti can work out a deal, the Pink will have to free up a designated player spot. MLS allows only three, and they're filled (Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets). Inter Miami and MLS are doing everything they can to ensure Messi -- whose contract is up in December -- doesn't leave, and Alba just signed a two-year extension through 2027. That leaves Busquets, who happens to play the same position De Paul plays and is five years older. Both are close to Messi; will the GOAT approve losing one friend to bring in another? To be determined.

Meanwhile, rumors about Lionel Messi's future continue to fuel clickbait stories around the globe. Apparently, Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli -- who tried to sign the Argentine icon in 2023 when Messi announced he would leave Paris Saint-Germain -- is in talks with the player's camp. Goal.com considers the possibilities.

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