Dos a cero! Inter Miami wins over Philadelphia and Montreal

Chant it with me: Dos a cero! Deuces run wild in this review of Inter Miami's convincing win against Philadelphia Saturday at DRV PNK Stadium.

The Herons won their second straight 2-0 decision, improving to 2-0 after beating Montreal 2-0 a week earlier in its first-ever season-opening victory. With six points of a possible six, IMCF tops the Eastern Conference and Supporter's Shield standings for the first time ever. And they did it without contributions from their top TWO strikers and TWO golazos from Coco Jean and Robert Taylor.

Enough. After all, they've played just TWO of 34 matches. Still, La Rosanegra have looked impressive posting TWO shutouts against the East's top TWO teams from a year ago (the Union led the Supporter's Shield virtually the entire season in 2022 until Los Angeles FC edged them in the final week; the West Coast club also beat Philadelphia in what many observers dubbed the best-ever MLS Cup, thanks to Gareth Bale's stoppage-time heroics).

Inter Miami gets the job done over Philadelphia and Montreal

The goals were Inter Miami's only TWO shot on target in the match.

The Frenchman, Jean, blasted a low shot that bounced by Philly goalkeeper into the lower left corner; in the 32nd minute. Taylor, from Finland, came into the match in the 76th minute for his first action of the season. Less than a minute later, running from left to right across the top of the box, he chested a Jean Mota pass forward and struck a volley into the upper right corner for what will be a goal-of-the-year contender.

Miami has built its offense to maximize the production of strikers Leo Campana and former MLS Most Valuable Player Josef Martinez but Campana missed his second straight match with a calf injury (Coach Phil Neville is hopeful the Ecuadoran can practice this week). And, for the second straight week, Martinez failed to impact the match.

The Venezuelan is still working his way into shape and learning the Neville system, but I'm optimistic his desire to prove he's still among the league's most dangerous strikers -- and to break the MLS scoring record -- will keep him motivated. If he scores 10-15 goals this year, I'll be happy. Remember, we have 32 matches left!

It's going to be a fun season! Neville and sporting director Chris Henderson have done a masterful job of imagining a culture and identity for the Herons and sticking to that vision. The Men in Pink play hard, and they play for one another. Next up: Inter Miami takes its show on the road for the first time next week, playing New York City FC.