Fellow USMNT icon Landon Donovan said that, despite a great early start, Miami's success may not be sustainable
Donovan praises Inter Miami's early-season formHoward and Donovan discuss the impact of aging starsDebate the team's prospects for the full MLS seasonGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
After Matchday 6, Inter Miami sits at the top of the Eastern Conference, and many believe that Lionel Messi’s side have the potential to win the MLS Cup. That was echoed by former USMNT and MLS great Landon Donovan as he expressed his belief that Miami is currently the best team in the league – so far.
However, on the Unfiltered podcast, both Donovan and Tim Howard also questioned the sustainability of Miami's success, given the age of key players including Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba.
“They are, I think, the best team in the league so far," Donovan said. "The question I guess is – is this sustainable, as they’ve got a lot of old bodies in Messi, Suarez, Jordi Alba and Busquets? So can they sustain this because, knock on wood, but if they pick up an injury or two that’s serious, it feels like it’ll be tough to keep up."
AdvertisementWHAT TIM HOWARD SAID
Donovan’s co-host Tim Howard touched on the fact that winning the Supporters' Shield last season was the best thing that could have happened to Inter Miami.
“Nobody is going to want to hear this, but I think these are the facts," he said. "The greatest thing for this current Miami team is that they won the Supporters' Shield last year. So they don’t have to chase that, that’s off the table and I don’t think Miami gives a good goddarn whether they win the Supporters' Shield or not. Which means this team is built for big games, so I think that it’s not only going to be Messi getting his minutes managed by [Javier] Mascherano
“I don’t think they’d care if they finish fourth or first. I don’t. I think they care if they finish fourth and they go into the playoffs healthy, I think they’ll like be 'Sweet, good this is great.' I don’t think they’re concerned with winning any prizes in the regular season, I just don’t… They can obviously pick up knocks throughout the year, but I do think a lot of these older players are going to have their minutes managed with an eye just for the playoffs.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi and Miami have been in excellent form to start the season, one of only two unbeaten MLS sides – along with the Columbus Crew.
They’ve won four out of their five games played and have one draw, giving the best record on the combined table, ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps on goal difference.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
With the March international break over, Inter Miami face LAFC next in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash on Wednesday before hosting Toronto FC in the MLS on April 6.
