Defense solidified, efforts strong

When Gonzalo Higuain signs with Inter Miami CF as expected, he’ll join a team needing help in the attack but also one that’s fortified its back line.

During Phase 1 of Major League Soccer’s return to play in home markets, Inter Miami solidified its defense and put together a string of solid defensive performances.

It recorded its first two clean sheets in a pair of scoreless draws against Atlanta United FC on Sept. 2 and Nashville SC on Sept. 6, and played nearly 250 minutes across four games without allowing a goal.

Inter Miami allowed six goals in its six Phase 1 games, with four of them being scored during two matches against Orlando City SC, the highestscoring team in the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami allowed 1.6 goals per game in its five matches in March and July.

Inter Miami coach Diego Alonso attributed the team’s defensive improvements to the play of Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, whom Alonso called a player “that gives us a lot of hierarchy and solidifies the back line.”

“Leandro’s had a very important impact on the team,” Alonso said. “He’s been able to help us defend better and we needed that. The back four has consolidated, along with the goalkeeper and holding midfielders. We’ve been able to become a better team.”

Gonzalez Pirez has brought physicality, the experience of winning titles in MLS and an ability to help the attack from the center of the defense to Inter Miami’s back line. The six games he’s been able to play with the team have helped Inter Miami gain confidence and a better understanding of its identity.

“It’s important, no matter what level of player you are, to play games and get into that rhythm,” defender and starting left back Ben Sweat said. “We’ve always had a pretty solid defense, but we’ve just had lapses and teams have punished us for those lapses. It’s unfortunate because if you look back at every [loss], those were games we could’ve tied or won.

“Obviously having Lea in the lineup now is a big piece. He’s a leader, he’s won championships with the Atlanta, and there’s going to be a lot of confidence with him being central. We’ve played enough games to where we’re starting to find that form and get a better understanding of what we want defensively.”

Phase 1 also allowed Alonso to figure out the defensive combinations with which he prefers to start. Andres Reyes, 21, is a promising young center back with the potential to play for the Colombian senior national soccer team, according to Alonso.

Sweat is a reliable left back who also helps Inter Miami in the attack on the left flank. Nico Figal, who’s accustomed to playing center back, has been moved to right back and shown he’s currently the team’s best option at the position.

“I feel like the group’s getting stronger,” Inter Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles said. “We’re coming into our own and are having an understanding of one another.”