What can Inter Miami do to salvage a successful 2026 season?

Struggling Herons are still Campeones Cup and MLS Cup contenders

How will the defending MLS Cup champions define success in 2026?

Inter Miami's standing goal is to be the best soccer club on the continent. Its motto, after all, is “Freedom to Dream.” That dream won't come true this year; the Herons' 2-1 loss to Toronto on Saturday was their fifth straight match without a win, dropping them 10 points behind Nashville SC with 13 regular season games remaining. Las Garzas is facing the real possibility that the club will not earn a trophy or qualify for CONCACAF Champions Cup for the first time since Lionel Messi arrived in South Florida in 2023.

The season started with disappointment when Inter Miami crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in March despite ownership making it the side’s top priority. Disappointment turned to embarrassment earlier this month when the Herons failed for the first time to advance to the knockout phase of the Leagues Cup.

The Herons will NOT be among the continent’s best teams this year.

Inter Miami is not BAD, really; at 11-4-6 (39 points), the Herons are third overall and second in the East. But Nashville (15-2-4, 49 pts.) is on pace for 79 points, which would shatter Inter Miami’s league-record total of 74 set two years ago. Even if Miami successfully course corrects and regains its form in the final weeks, the Coyotes likely will be waiting for them in the Eastern Conference final.

So, what realistic goals remain for the Herons?

Supporters’ Shield — Making up 10 points in 13 matches seems highly unlikely, but it’s mathematically possible. If it wins every remaining match, Miami could earn 78 points; Nashville needs 30 points to clinch the league’s best regular-season record. Nashville made a statement with a 4-1 win against Inter Miami on Aug. 15 at Geodis Park. The rematch, Sept. 19 in Miami, will be pivotal to how the Herons remember 2026.

Campeones Cup -- Inter Miami will host Liga MX champion Cruz Azul on Sept. 16 in the Campeones Cup, a showdown between the most recent Mexican and MLS champions. Messi and Sergio Busquets debuted for the Herons in the only previous match between the clubs; a Messi free kick gave the Herons a 2-1 win. Campeones Cup ISN'T a major trophy, but it is recognized by FIFA and CONCACAF, so that's something.

MLS Cup -- If the Herons can cling to second place in the conference, they will have homefield advantage until the conference championship match. It's a little soon to start watching "magic numbers," but Inter Miami can clinch a playoff berth with 25 more points and at least one home playoff game with 35 more points. In a worst-case scenario, they could miss the playoffs entirely, but I can't imagine the talent on this team will let that happen.

Champions Cup qualifying -- This isn't a trophy, but it's a necessary step to pursue the continent's most prestigious club prize. There are several ways Major League Soccer teams can qualify: win the MLS Cup championship; win the U.S. Open Cup; win Leagues Cup; win the Supporters' Shield; have the best regular-season record in the conference that DIDN'T include the Supporters' Shield winner; finish second or third in Leagues Cup; have one of the best three regular-season records of teams not otherwise qualified.

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