Inter Miami last in MLS standings ahead of Lionel Messi debut: What’s next?

With another loss, Inter Miami is now winless in 11 matches and sits bottom of the league with 18 points after 22 matches. Miami is 12 points below the playoff line with just 12 games left. Here’s what you need to know:

• Lionel Messi will first be available for selection against Liga MX side Cruz Azul in the opening match of Leagues Cup on July 21.
• If Messi’s debut season has postseason action, Miami will likely need to pick up at least 24 points in their final 12 games, an average of two points per game.
• Only one team in MLS has averaged more than two points per game this season (Supporters’ Shield leading FC Cincinnati).

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What this means for Miami

The situation is dire, but not without explanation. Miami has held precious roster resources for summer additions in the hope Messi (and friends) would join, so they were hamstrung a bit by that for the first 22 matches of the season. They saw a few untimely, long-term injuries to perhaps their two most irreplaceable players, central midfielders Gregore and Jean Mota. Gregore, the team’s captain, has played just three games this season, and Mota just nine.

Reinforcements are on the way. In addition to Messi, Sergio Busquets will soon debut as well. Jordi Alba is likely to follow, while Miami is active in adding young talent, with reports linking the club to young players Facundo Farías and Diego Gómez.

Messi and friends have their work cut out for them.

Tata Martino’s first match

New manager Tata Martino took over for his first match as Inter Miami manager. He opted for a 4-2-3-1. Expect more of the same when those reinforcements arrive.

Messi, obviously, slots in at No. 10, where he’ll be able to drift and have a free role to impact the game. One of Josef Martínez (who started on Saturday) or Leo Campana will be the center forward.

Miami held 64 percent possession, which is part of Martino’s ethos but also was partly due to the matchup. St. Louis City prefers a transition, high-pressing system in which they’re content to give up possession for real estate. St. Louis also went up 2-0 before halftime so Miami was chasing the game from thereon, thus controlling possession.

What’s next?

Miami won’t play another MLS game until Aug. 20, as MLS breaks to take part in the Leagues Cup. Their first game in that tournament is Friday against Cruz Azul, where Messi is expected to debut.

They have at least two games (in the group stage) to start to break in the new players. If they’re eliminated in the group (one of Miami, Atlanta United or Cruz Azul will be eliminated following the group stage), they’ll have nearly a month off between matches.

Miami will continue to work to revamp the squad, with Alba being a big-name potential signing as well as youngsters Farías and Gómez as two potential additions. The latter two would join via the U-22 initiative, leaving one more U-22 slot open.

Gregore may return slightly earlier than expected in August, rather than the initially anticipated September. Mota won’t be too far behind him. A starting XI with Gregore and Mota behind Messi is among the strongest in the league.

Miami is a semifinalist in the U.S. Open Cup, with their final-four matchup against FC Cincinnati on Aug. 23. Two wins would give Miami a trophy in Messi’s debut season.

If Messi is to play playoff soccer in MLS and succeed in knockout tournaments, they’ll have to click immediately because Miami needs to pick up points fast.

Required reading

(Photo: Hernan Cortez / Getty Images)