LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida has given his honest verdict on Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez after last night’s draw against Inter Miami.
The Herons left it late to secure a 1-1 draw in California with Messi scoring his first goal of the MLS season after some impressive link-up play with Jordi Alba.
With the Galaxy down to 10-men due to a more than questionable second yellow card for Marky Delgado, Inter Miami rescued something out of nothing having been dominated by the Galaxy all game.
LA Galaxy star gives honest Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez verdict after Inter Miami draw
And speaking to the press via Favian Renkel, Yoshida revealed that the Galaxy could have done more with Messi and Suarez not doing any defending for Inter Miami, leaving the Herons exposed at the back.
Given how old the pair are and the style of football Messi and Suarez are used to, it makes sense why the duo hardly defended, with Inter Miami signing players to do just such roles throughout the squad.
Yet with the Florida franchise having virtually two fewer bodies willing to defend, the Galaxy arguably missed their chance to claim all three points against Inter Miami, even after going 1-0 up.
Yoshida said when asked about the Inter Miami pair last night: “Messi and Suarez, they don’t defend. We could have distributed a little more. We were a little shy today.”
Inter Miami need defensive shape to be spot-on this season
Messi and Suarez are two of the best attackers soccer has ever seen, yet one thing the duo can’t be tasked to do at this age in their careers is to defend.
As a result, Inter Miami’s structure without the ball needs to be spot on, with conceding goals the main reason the Herons failed to make the playoffs last year.
Whilst one goal conceded in two MLS games is a good start, this record won’t last for long once other teams catch on what Inter Miami are doing, and the Herons need a plan in place for the remainder of the season.