Inter Miami might have only existed for three years, but it’s been quite the ride already for the Florida-based franchise.
Whilst MLS playoffs are off the table for this season, 2023 has been a transformative year for the Herons with the arrival of Lionel Messi this summer, as well as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
A Leagues Cup title and US Open Cup final are notable highlights for this year, and it’s astonishing to believe just how far Inter Miami have come since their first game in 2020.
Here’s what the starting XI look liked for Inter Miami in their MLS opener against LAFC three years ago…
MLS veterans Luis Robles and Alvas Powell start in defence
As with any expansion side, Inter Miami had to start from the ground up when it comes to building a squad, yet some of their first signings featured some true MLS pedigree.
And no player highlighted that more than Luis Robles, with the former New York Red Bulls shot-stopper signed as Inter Miami’s first starting keeper having established himself as one of the best in MLS.
With the likes of Alvas Powell, Ben Sweat and Roman Torres also making up the defence, Inter Miami’s first game featured some good names for the league, despite losing to LAFC 1-0.
Lionel Messi’s predecessor Rodolfo Pizarro leads midfield
Before there was Messi, there was Rodolfo Pizarro, with the Mexican international signed as Inter Miami’s star player and taking on the no. 10 shirt.
Despite the immense hype, the midfielder failed to live up to expectations in MLS, even alongside another league legend and veteran in Will Trapp, with Victor Ulloa also starting against LAFC.
Indeed, Pizarro’s MLS career might not have gone anywhere with Inter Miami, but it was the midfielder’s departure this summer that opened the door for the Herons to sign Messi and company.
Inter Miami’s Robbie Robinson spearheads attack
One of two players in this starting XI to still be an Inter Miami player, Robbie Robinson was the man entrusted to lead the line for the Herons on opening day.
With Lewis Morgan and Matias Pellegrini out on the flanks, Inter Miami started the season with one of the youngest attacking trios in MLS, with Robinson one of the club’s most-capped players.
Indeed, the trio were unable to break through LAFC’s defence on the day, yet the likes of Morgon and Pellegrini would both go on to have established MLS careers respectively.