ESPN’s lead MLS analyst assesses Inter Miami’s roster, weaknesses and playoff chances
How good is this roster that Inter Miami has put together for its first season in Major League Soccer?
For input, we solicited the opinion of former U.S. National team and MLS standout Taylor Twellman, ESPN’s lead MLS game analyst who will announce the team’s opener with play-by-play man Jon Champion on Sunday at Los Angeles FC (5:30 p.m., ESPN).
“I think they can compete for a playoff spot; that’s a realistic hope,” Twellman said, with 14 of the league’s 26 teams qualifying for postseason. “It would be a disappointment if they don’t make the playoffs. The most difficult part is when you are owned by a guy named David Beckham, people are thinking you’re going to bring in Neymar, [Lionel] Messi. But [recent addition Rodolfo] Pizarro is the best player in the Mexican League.”
Twellman addressed the quality of the roster, by position:
▪ Forwards: Inter Miami’s roster lists only four, and the most accomplished of those four — Julian Carranza — is out until early May with a foot injury.
“That group is incomplete to me,” Twellman said. “That is where I think that [Inter Miami’s third] designated player signing will be. They need a known goal scorer who can score 15 to 20 goals. With that [additional] guy, that group becomes a complete group because it’s a little more versatile.
“Juan Agudelo hasn’t been a consistent goal scorer his whole career; you can’t expect 15 goals out of him. Carranza is injured. Jerome Kiesewetter showed up randomly on the national team under Jurgen Klinsmann.”
Agudelo has been dealing with a hamstring injury. Robbie Robinson is the fourth forward under contract. He was the first overall pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft out of Clemson; in January, he won the Hermann Trophy given to the top college soccer player in the nation.
Miami has said it plans to add a striker with its third and final designated player spot, which is reserved for higher priced players. The first two designated player spots were used on Pizarro and 19-year-old midfielder Matias Pelligrini. David Silva, Edinson Cavani and Roger Martinez are among names that have been mentioned as options.
▪ Midfielders: “Miami needs to find a real true goal scorer,” Twellman said. “But Pizarro is one of best signings in the league. He’s in his prime.
“It’s an interesting group [of midfielders]. When you get a Wil Trapp, he’s had tremendous success [in the MLS with Columbus]. He’s a true leader in the locker room. With Lee Nguyen, you don’t know how much he has left in the tank but you have quality there.
“You need two or three guys who will [develop at that position] and allow the creative players to do what they need to do. That’s the question mark.”
▪ Defenders: Miami has 12 under contract, and Twellman points to one as a key: veteran Roman Torres.
“People will remember him from Seattle, winning the MLS Cup last year, but he was on his last legs last year. He is the X factor. If you get something out of him, that’s great. I’m not sure they have a true leader at center back who will say, ‘I will lead that team.’ [Finding a longterm] center back is huge.”
Among other defenders, Twellman cites Dylan Nealis as “a young up and coming player that people have expectations for.”
▪ Goalkeeper: Luis Robles, 35, will be the starter after playing for the New York Red Bulls for the past eight seasons.
“Robles is [still] an above average goalkeeper, a true leader and has seen the ups and downs of MLS, which is extremely valuable for an expansion team,” Twellman said. “That was a very smart signing. And goalies can play until they’re 38, 40” and still be effective.
INTER MIAMI NETWORK TV COVERAGE ANNOUNCED
In addition to ESPN’s coverage of Sunday’s opener, ESPN Deportes also will carry Sunday’s Miami-Los Angeles game.
Meanwhile, Fox announced it will televise Inter Miami’s first home game, March 14, against the LA Galaxy at 3 p.m.
Also, FS 1 will carry three Inter Miami matches this season.
Meanwhile, ESPN will carry four Inter Miami games, including its fifth game, Sunday, April 5 at Philadelphia at 3 p.m.
And ABC said Wednesday that it will air one Miami game: the road match against Chicago at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9.
Inter Miami plans to announce its local broadcast deals on Monday.
Coming Thursday: Another ESPN MLS analyst offers his take on Miami’s chances this season.
This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 3:57 PM.
