USA soccer legend Tim Howard has predicted Inter Miami to cope with their worldwide pre-season tour this winter.
The Herons are currently in Saudi Arabia having already played in Dallas and El Salvador, with Inter Miami due to head to Hong Kong and Japan later this month after one more game in the Middle East.
A lot has been made of Inter Miami’s pre-season tour and how the travel could having a negative impact on the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
Yet speaking to the Daily Mail, Howard has predicted Inter Miami to cope with their pre-season schedule, with the former goalkeeper saying: “I would be shocked if Inter Miami was not near the top of MLS this year.
“There are fears that the hangover from all this travel and all these games will affect Messi and Co. I think that’s a convenient excuse.
“I don’t buy it because preseason is for building fitness and sports science is the be-all and end-all of these clubs. They’re monitoring every single heartbeat of these players. Preseason is hard, of course. It’s taxing on your body, you’re away from your family. It is draining.”
Inter Miami will have to hope they can handle their pre-season tour
Inter Miami have so far managed with the travel on their pre-season tour, though losing Facundo Farias to an ACL injury has been a notable low point for the Herons.
However, such a blow can’t be pinned down to just Inter Miami’s worldwide adventure, and the MLS franchise have done well so far in terms of keeping everyone fit.
Yet with a few more stops left to go, there’s not telling what’s around the corner for Inter Miami, and the medical and coaching staff will have to ensure that every player remains fit.
Moreover, keeping the likes of Messi and Suarez fresh ahead of the new season will be the most important task of all, with both players yet to really have a break this winter.