The Daily Heron: Is Maxi Falcón the key to Miami’s defense? Plus Brooklyn Beckham joins Jaguar racing team

Can Uruguayan center back Maxi Falcón be Inter Miami’s missing piece?

Inter Miami demanded the world’s attention in 2023 by bringing all-time greats Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to South Florida and winning the first-ever Leagues Cup championship. Last year, the Luis Suarez joined his former Barcelona teammates with the Herons and the club set a Major League Soccer record with 74 points and the Supporters’ Shield as the league’s best regular-season team.

But the Pink & Black suffered early exits from the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Leagues Cup tournaments and, most disappointingly of all, lost to ninth-seed Atlanta United in the first round of the MLS playoffs.

Most observers blamed Miami’s failure on its defense; Izabella Franca, writing for Inter Heron sister site MLS Multiplex, thinks Uruguayan center back Maxi Falcón may be just what the Herons need to add more silverware to their collection in 2025, as the squad competes in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup as well as, hopefully, the MLS playoffs.

Brooklyn Beckham joins Jaguar racing. Brooklynn Joseph Peltz Beckham, 25, the oldest son of Inter Miami CF owner David Beckham and his wife, Victoria, was a promising footballer but gave up the sport because of the pressure he felt trying to live up to his father’s legacy. He’s dabbled in modeling, photography, and cooking. Recently, he decided to try something new: Formula 1 racing. He recently joined the Jaguar racing team, as reported at gpblog.com.

Former IMCF midfielder signs with Detroit City. Journeyman midfielder Jay Chapman played in 33 matches for Inter Miami in 2020 and 2021, the Herons’ first two seasons. The 31-year-old Canadian recently signed with USL Championship side Detroit City FC.