After Messi’s Stumble: Foreshadowing the Future of MLS Post PSG Triumph

At the FIFA Club World Cup

After the elimination of Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders, the final Major League Soccer club was knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday. In reality, the contest felt decided after the first half. Inter Miami CF, featuring Lionel Messi, was outclassed by Paris Saint-Germain, the Champions League winners, who built an insurmountable lead by halftime. Goals by João Neves (6’ & 39’), an own goal from Tomás Avilés (44’), and Achraf Hakimi (45+3’) led PSG to a straightforward victory against the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield champions at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

While PSG eased off the gas in the second half, the first 45 minutes showcased their dominance as Champions League winners. The Ligue 1 side scored their four goals with an expected goals (xG) of just 2.42 and denied Inter Miami, who ended the match with an xG of only 0.26, any real foothold in the game. “We were excellent in the first half,” said Luis Enrique to DAZN. “In the second half, we maintained control and didn’t concede a goal.” PSG’s command was evident in their passing as they completed 621 passes, while Inter Miami managed only 253. PSG held 73% possession at halftime, which dropped slightly to 68% by the end, indicating their strategy of managing the game.

This was undeniably another display of PSG’s prowess, reminiscent of their recent performances. They previously triumphed 5-0 against Inter Milan in the Champions League and convincingly defeated Atlético Madrid 4-0 to begin the tournament. However, they have shown vulnerabilities; a notable 1-0 loss to Botafogo comes to mind. The Seattle Sounders also put up a stronger fight against PSG than Miami did on Sunday. “We knew we were facing a tough challenge,” said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano to DAZN. “We gave our all, but they are one of the world’s elite teams.”

Inter Miami falls to PSG – What’s the state of MLS?

Although Inter Miami’s progression to the round of 16 was commendable, today’s result serves as a harsh reminder for the Beckham-owned club. While there’s little shame in losing to Europe’s top team, the manner of defeat raises concerns. This isn’t the first instance where Inter Miami has struggled defensively; similar issues were apparent in their match against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the Concacaf Champions League. There, Miami also crumbled against a far more disciplined opponent, conceding three second-half goals.

A significant factor in this story is roster construction. Like many MLS teams, Inter Miami is heavily invested in star players. Against PSG, the combined market value of their attack and midfield stood at €30.8m (€5.13m per player), in stark contrast to their defenders and goalkeeper, valued at only €6.6m (€1.32m). While Messi contributes to this high value, the imbalance of financial resources in favor of forwards and midfielders underscores how MLS teams are formed.

This trend makes some sense, as MLS is known for delivering an entertaining, high-scoring product. However, at this elite level, the lack of tactical discipline was glaring. PSG effortlessly sliced through Miami’s defense, and the 4-0 result could have been even worse. Indeed, this wasn’t Miami’s first encounter with adversity in this tournament; they previously squandered a two-goal advantage against Palmeiras. For MLS, this may serve as a vital lesson. The gap between the league and top European teams is not as vast as it appears at times, and more balanced roster construction could be key to bridging that divide.