Inter Miami crashed out of the MLS play-offs in shocking fashion on the weekend after losing 3-2 against Atlanta United.
Matias Rojas and Lionel Messi were both on the scoresheet for the Herons as Inter Miami failed to make use of their star power and home advantage, with Atlanta coming from behind to secure a famous win at Chase Stadium.
One key moment from the game was Tomas Aviles’ play-acting in the build-up to Atlanta’s winning goal, with MLS expert Andrew Wiebe noting that this was the event that swung the game away from Inter Miami as they were eliminated from the play-offs.
And former USA international Alexi Lalas has had his say on Aviles laying on the ground during an Atlanta attacker.
Tomas Aviles slammed after ‘laughable’ play-acting vs Atlanta
Taking to Twitter, Lalas slammed Aviles for his ‘laughable’ attempt to stop the play for Atlanta by lying on the ground as the Five Stripes disregarded the Inter Miami defender to score their third and decisive goal of the night.
Lalas posted: “This “unwritten rule” of kicking ball out when a player is injured is — and antiquated. The indignation/righteousness is laughable. Players created the cynicism faking/embellishing. Kick it out if you want, but don’t cry when someone plays to the whistle.”
With Inter Miami’s season now at an end having gone into the play-offs as the overwhelming favorites to win MLS Cup, there is a good reason why Aviles’ antics have come under so much fire in the days since the result.
Yet heading into next season, the 20-year-old defender will now know what needs to be done in situations like this, with Aviles likely to have learnt his lesson the hard way in how not to act when the opponent is on the attack.
Inter Miami need to mature next season after shock Atlanta loss
Inter Miami’s 2024 campaign coming to an end after the first round of the MLS play-offs is nothing short of a shock, with the Herons tipped to go all the way having won the Supporters’ Shield with a record points total in the regular-season.
Yet with Aviles getting slammed for his play-acting during a season where Inter Miami’s disciplinary record was one of the worst in MLS is a message that the Florida franchise have to be more mature next season.
Indeed, Inter Miami cleaning up their act will go a long way in winning MLS Cup next year and leveling up as a franchise, and the Herons know that they can do just that with a good pre-season.