The Daily Heron: New International Spot and Messi’s Injury

You didn’t think we forgot, did you?

It’s time again for your dose of The Daily Heron — all the news that’s fit to print (and sometimes things that aren’t) related to Inter Miami.

Let’s get into it.

Inter Miami GAM GAM For A New Slot

Reports from LA Galaxy are that Inter Miami has forked over $125,000 in General Allocation Monday to the Galaxy for a 2023 International Roster Slot.

This marks the second time in recent weeks the Herons have parted with GAM money for an additional international slot.

This isn’t for a new player, but rather to put Inter Miami into compliance with Major League Soccer rules for roster designation.

The Great Lionel Messi Injury

Don’t hold your collective breaths… it’s nothing drastic.

But during a practice session in Fort Lauderdale, Lionel Messi appeared to come up lame during ball drills.

Inter Miami manager Tata Martino dismissed any serious injury claims in his news conference before the team left for its 2023 Leagues Cup semifinals at Philadelphia.

"I didn’t see exactly what happened but I imagine that if it had been something serious, the players would all be shocked and since they were all fine, I think nothing happened."

- Tata Martino, Inter Miami manager

Works for me.

So long as he can rub some dirt on it and be ok, it didn’t seem to be a problem.

You can all breathe now.

Too Late to Get Tickets to Inter Miami’s Showdown in Philly

It didn’t take long for tickets to Tuesday’s 2023 Leagues Cup semifinal at Philadelphia Union to sell out.

If memory serves, it was about eight minutes.

Now, tickets to the match are selling for an average of over $600 per, according to media reports.

There are “cheap” tickets to the match… and by cheap, I mean about $500 which is over 1,000% higher than the average ticket price for any other Philadelphia Union home game.

Philadelphia now holds the record for the fastest sell-out of an Inter Miami game.

So, take that Dallas.

The Woes of Inter Miami II

While the senior squad seems to be firing on all cylinders, Inter Miami II is not.

Inter’s MLS Next Pro side took a 2-0 lead in the first half at Chicago thanks to Academy standout Miles Perkovich.

And this one…

Only to watch Chicago tie the game in the second half and win on a penalty shootout.

That means the Jr. Herons have not won in regulation since June 8 and have given up 25 goals in that span while only scoring six.

Ouch.

A loss at home to Crown Legacy FC on August 19 and Inter Miami II can kiss the playoffs good bye.

Premier League Meets Inter Miami

According to reports from The Express, former Manchester United standout Jesse Lingard has been spending his off time in Fort Lauderdale.

No, he isn’t part of the rumor mill of every player looking to join Inter Miami in the winter transfer window.

Instead, he using Inter Miami’s facilities to get back in shape in hopes of a return to the Premier League… presumably with West Ham United.

The idea of West Ham is due to Lingard’s connection with current Hammers’ manager David Moyes.

Moyes and Lingard spent time together when Moyes was the manager for Manchester United. Lingard had 26 goals in 39 games in the 2013/14 season under Moyes.

Lingard trained at Inter Miami through the end of July, according to the reports, but there is no official word on his next move.