Minnesota United Turns Heads With Statement Win Over Inter Miami
Here’s something nobody saw coming: Minnesota United, mocked for their inconsistent play just weeks ago, suddenly looks like the real deal. They stomped Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 4-1, vaulting themselves from 10th to 6th in the latest Minnesota United MLS Power Rankings. What’s wild? They did it while only controlling the ball for less than a third of the game—just 27% possession. Watching the Loons shred Miami apart with smart counterattacks and clinical set pieces, you’d swear the old rules of soccer don’t apply anymore. Forget possession—Minnesota has cracked a different code.
While teams often treat the ball like gold, Minnesota’s manager flipped the script. Instead of forcing elaborate build-ups, his side sat deep, soaked up wave after wave of Miami pressure, then pounced on the counter. Miami’s defense looked completely rattled. Every time Minnesota surged forward, they seemed to find a gap or win a dangerous free kick. Their set pieces—corners, free kicks—were like clockwork, catching Miami flat-footed time and again. It’s not just dumb luck: Minnesota has been drilling these plays for weeks, and it paid off in spectacular fashion.
Inter Miami’s Collapse Draws Scrutiny—and Beckham’s Response
If you’re following Major League Soccer this year, you know Inter Miami is supposed to be a superclub. With Lionel Messi, a host of big names, and the ‘Pink Phony Club’ jibes flying around social media, pressure is sky high. But with four losses in their last five matches across all competitions, and glaring defensive errors piling up, questions are getting louder. Even David Beckham, who usually keeps things positive, stepped in to push back at critics after Minnesota’s cheeky jab online.
The big issue for Inter Miami? Defense. They can’t seem to stay organized when it counts—even with all their attacking talent. It’s like they build a shiny sports car, but forgot to install brakes. Minnesota knew exactly where to attack: down the flanks, into the chaos. The Herons look lost at the back, and even Messi’s magic can’t always cover up for a leaky defense.
Elsewhere in the league, a few teams held steady. The Philadelphia Union had a narrow chance to take down Columbus but walked away with only a 2-2 draw, even after scoring two absolute rockets. Seattle Sounders kept their own momentum going; Albert Rusnák’s two goals sealed a 3-1 win over a Houston Dynamo squad reduced to 10 men before halftime. The Sounders haven’t lost since early April, and their squad depth is starting to show.
Back to Minnesota, though—their unlikely climb has sparked fresh optimism among fans, and they’re now breathing down Miami’s neck in the top 10. With Inter Miami scrambling to patch up their defense and cope with mounting criticism, don’t be surprised if the rankings keep shifting. This season is shaping up to be anything but predictable.