Inter Miami should rely on youth to solve midfield depth concerns

Though Inter Miami might be a club known for buying stars, its Academy-to-first team pipeline often gets overlooked

From 2020 to 2026, the club has signed 11 Academy players to first-team contracts, with four getting consistent minutes throughout the years. 

Even during their MLS Cup run last season, the club leaned on players like Ian Fray and Noah Allen defensively to lead them to the promised land. 

A few months after that historic day, Inter Miami may be forced to lean on the youth once again.

On Sunday, March 22nd, the Herons took on NYCFC without one of their aforementioned star players, Rodrigo De Paul, who was out with a leg contusion.

In his place started U22 initiative signing David Ayala. While Ayala isn't an Academy player, at just 23 years old, he represents a fresh wave of young players on Inter Miami’s roster. 

Of course, no player can replace the impact of a progressive passer like Sergio Busquets. But Ayala's advanced stats show he can replicate some of the traits that made Busquets so effective for the Herons.

Watching him against NYCFC, I was impressed at his willingness to drop deep and progress the ball forward despite City plugging the midfield, hoping to force Miami into the wide channels on their field, notoriously known for being one of the smallest in MLS.

In the first 15 minutes of the game, the ex-Portland Timbers player did well to retain the ball and spray it forward to a surprising attacking front line of both Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti.

Though NYCFC manager Pascal Jansen would eventually tweak his tactics to prevent Ayala from freely getting touches, his work rate didn't go unnoticed. 

However, Ayala wasn't the only youngster who contributed to Miami’s three points last afternoon.

Not only did we see Telasco Segovia (22), Mateo Silvetti (20), Noah Allen (21), and Ian Fray (23) all get the start, but we also had cameo appearances from fellow Homegrowns David Ruiz (22) and Daniel Pinter (18). 

I want to focus on the midfield, specifically. After losing the likes of Benjamin Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets, and Baltasar Rodríguez, Miami’s midfield depth is rather shallow. 

Without them, Miami’s midfield now looks like this:

Usual starters: De Paul, Bright, Segovia 

Bench: Ayala, Ruiz, Santiago Morales, and new Homegrown signing Alex Shaw (17).

Inter Miami is one short/long-term injury away (*knock on wood*) from having their first-choice midfield trio incomplete.

The slight contusion to De Paul and his subsequent benching should encourage Miami’s coaching staff to utilize the depth of their bench. 

Whether it’s Morales, who’s a crafty attacking midfielder, or Ayala, who showed promise as a regista for the team against NYCFC, Ruiz, who’s looking for his breakout year, or a young and hungry Alex Shaw, Miami has a plethora of youth who are looking for an opportunity to show their talent. 

Although Miami is out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, there will be plenty of opportunities throughout the season for this group of youngins to get playing time.

I just hope Miami’s coaching staff are willing to give them significant minutes.