Season Round-Up
It's been a while since my last update, but we've progressed to the end of the first season, and are currently set up in pre-season just now. So this will be a fairly detailed post trying to summerise and round-up a much as possible.
July Results
I know i've covered the first half, already so here is the remainder of the July results and the goalscorers. A 1-2 loss at home to Philadelphia followed with Carranza scoring again. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury that would keep him out for three weeks. A 3-3 draw with Orlando was next, with Shawcross, Robinson and Figal scoring. Alvarado was sent off, making my player selection process much more difficult.
July Goalscorers
- Carranza: 1
- Higuain: 1
- Shawcross: 1
- Robisnson: 1
- Figal: 1
August Results
August started badly for me, and the poor run of form continued. A 6-2 loss in the US Cup Semi-FInal to NYCFC was difficult to watch, Chapman scored an early goal to give Miami the lead, only for the team to struggle and stutter the game. Higuain scored a 38th minute goal, for New York to run away with the rest of the fixture. A positive 4-0 win over Nashville provided relief to the poor form, with Champan, Figal, Azcona and Higuain all scoring. A quick sight of revenge was presented with another fixture away to New York City, Higuain gave the club a 55th minute leader, only for New York to score in the 92nd minute. Azcona was also another casualty through injury. At this stage Carranza had returned from injury, only to get injured again prior to the All-Star Game.
Thankfully Carranza returned for the Chicago game and was on hand to score in a 2-1 win, Higuain also bagged another goal. Both strikers found the net in a 2-0 win over Toronto. The month ended with a 1-0 loss to Orlando City. Another fairly disappointing month, with players jaded and injured. Other clubs had began to find their form, and I was no longer top of the Supporter Shield.
August Goalscorers
- Chapman: 2
- Higuain: 5
- Figal: 1
- Azcona: 1
- Carranza: 2
September Results
If July and August were difficult, it was to get worse in September. 6 League games in 4 weeks did little to help fatigue. The month began with a 3-1 win over Cincinnati, Matuidi scoring twice and Carranza showing the team what we had been missing. A 2-1 win over Columbus quickly followed with Carranza and Robinson both scoring. However losses against Toronto (3-0) and New York (1-2) followed, with Higuain scoring a penalty. A 2-1 win over league strugglers Nashville followed with Carranza and Higuain both scoring. The month ended with a 1-1 draw to Atlanta, with a goal from Higuain
September Goalscorers
- Carranza: 3
- Matuidi: 2
- Robinson: 1
- Higuain: 3
October Results
7 league fixtures remained by October, and at this point I knew I wasn't going to win the Supporters Shield or Eastern Conference Titles. The month didn't start well, with a 1-1 draw at Portland and a 3-0 loss to Columbus. Robinson scored the only goal across those two fixtures. Robinson and Morgan eased the anguish with victory over Toronto, and a 3-1 win over Cincinnati had me thinking my fortunes had changed slightly (Shawcross, Carranza, Higuain). My ego was brought back down to Earth with a crash with a 4-0 loss to Atlanta - 2 games left at this stage and a playoff spot had been secured. A small glimmer of light in what looked to be a great season. October ended with sweet revenge. NYCFC suffered a 3-0 loss with Higuain scoring twice, and an Azcona returning from injury grabbing a well finished goal.
October Goalscorers
- Robinson: 2
- Morgan: 1
- Shawcross: 1
- Higuain: 2
- Carranza: 1
- Azcona
November Results
The season ended with a 2-1 loss to New England, Carranza grabbing the goal. With playoffs secured, my team had 12 days to recover for our fixture against New York City.
Higuain struck first, only for City to quickly equalise in a hard fought first half. However, Miami shot into life in the second half with a Champan goal and a quick Higuain second to end the scoring at 3-1. Miami Progress.
Columbus next. Could I progress further? Could I defy the press and the Bookmakers? In short, no. My team struggled throughout the game, and suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss. Season over.
November Goalscorers
- Higuain: 2
- Carranza: 1
- Chapman: 1
End of Season Summary
Really, we had a good season, we defied the odds and finished third in the Eastern Conference, and 4th overall. We were predicted 20th. Morgan completed the season with the most assists at 18, whilst Higuain ended with 26 league goals and 10 assists. The team scored 52 goals, whilst we conceded 34. The defence was a problem for the majority of the season, and significant improvements will be required here. There are areas I am already looking to progress on and have some targets in mine. Then we have the draft to look at as well.
Transfer News and Draft
We have brought in a few players from the Inter Miami Academy after our Youth Intake: Huber Garcia (FW), Rully Sudirman (DC) and Frank Flaetgan (MC). Will Vint also joins on a free from Colorado (MC). In the draft we brought in Luke Lee (DL), Dan Willis (DC), Alvaro Lopez (MC) and Ricardo Esqueda (FW). If I'm honest, whilst most of them are rated 5 starts for potential, I am not overly excited by the intake from my youth or the draft. However I don't think any teams fared well in this years Superdraft. Rully will also join the Academy on loan again to gain some first team experience. We have also brought in Alvaro Medran from Real Salt Lake in a trade deal (1 international spot, and a 3rd Round 2023 draft spot)
Leaving the club is George Acosta, who played a bit part in my season as I don't really play with an attacking Central midfielder, and Jay Champan . Alvarado also left the side in a Trade Deal to DC United, I received £120k allocation Money, 1 International slot until the end of 2023 and a 1st Round Draft pick for 2024. We have £8.5 million to spend and £308k for our wage budget. Initially, I will be looking to trim a few of the international players from my side, and try to bring in some more home grown talent. Matuidi, Higuain and Patterson are my 3 listed Designated players, however there is significant interest in Matuidi, who never fully convinced me in my first season.
The defence is a must area for strengthening, as we really struggled last season. We also need to improve on depth and quality in all areas of the park to combat injury and fatigue concerns as the season progresses.