We Need To Acknowledge That Inter Miami May Lose

It’s not a popular opinion… heck, I don’t even want to write about the possibility that Inter Miami may lose a match soon.

But, I’m also a realist.

With at least 13 matches left on the calendar for the Herons, there is a strong possibility that Inter Miami loses one of them.

Let’s get into it.

It Would Be Hard for Inter Miami To Win 20 In a Row

Dating back to the start of the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami has rattled off seven straight wins — including the Leagues Cup championship at Nashville SC.

Add on the 13 remaining games — 14 if Inter Miami beats FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals this week — and that would be 20 matches since the Herons signed Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

I really want to believe that Inter Miami has the moxie and the talent to pull off winning 20 straight matches.

But, again, I’m a realist and know that it would be next to impossible for the Herons to pull off that kind of feat.

Not that it couldn’t be done, it's just difficult to see how it would be done.

For clarity, the longest home winning streak is 12 by the 2002 San Jose Earthquakes while FC Dallas has the longest away winning streak with 12 in 2010.

Those are winning streaks, not unbeaten streaks — which would include ties.

So, it’s not outside the realm of possibility, but it would be extremely difficult for Inter Miami to pull it off.

The Games Inter Miami Might Lose

So, I combed through Inter Miami’s remaining schedule to see which matches would be the most likely for the Herons to lose.

Honestly, it wasn’t a long list as I think just about every one of Inter Miami’s remaining opponents are beatable.

• Nashville SC at Inter Miami (August 30) — I put this on the list because it is extremely difficult to beat the same team three times in a row. Counting the Leagues Cup final win, that’s exactly what Inter Miami would have to do when Nashville comes to DRV PNK Stadium at the end of the month. Let’s be honest… out of all the Leagues Cup matches, Nashville played Inter Miami the hardest and I expect them to bring that to Ft. Lauderdale to seek some revenge.

• Inter Miami at Los Angeles FC (September 3) — Los Angeles FC is very good… and even better at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Messi and Co. will be on another big stage in Los Angeles and the Herons can expect a hostile, albeit excited, crowd. LAFC is in the title hunt for the Western Conference crown and wants as many points as possible to close the gap with St. Louis.

• Inter Miami at Orlando City (September 24) — Yeah, I hate myself for even putting this on the list, but it’s a rivalry game and Orlando City will certainly be looking for payback after being embarrassed in Ft. Lauderdale during the Leagues Cup knockout stage. Plus, this time, Orlando City gets Inter at home and Exploria Stadium isn’t going to be a friendly place to play.

I’m sure there are others I could put on the list but, as I said, I really think the remaining opponents for Inter Miami are beatable.

The Herons are fortunate enough to get FC Cincinnati, New York City FC, Toronto FC and Sporting Kansas City at home.

While they have to travel to Atlanta to take on United, if it is anything like their Leagues Cup matchup in the group stage, I don’t see a problem there.

Chicago can be dangerous, especially if they fill Soldier Field due to Messi playing, but they are in the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference — which could change by the time they face off in October.

By that time, Inter Miami could (and should) be in a better spot to clinch a playoff berth and will be looking for points everywhere to get there.

And, while Charlotte FC is on the road in the final regular season match, the only thing that will make that match interesting is if Inter Miami is battling for a playoff spot on the last day.

But, in the end, I think we need to come to grips with the fact that out of the next 13 matches, Inter Miami is likely to lose at least one of them.

And, to be fair, I hate myself for even thinking that.