Five suggestions to help Inter Miami improve its defense

Miami must be better balanced to successfully defend its MLS Cup title

Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati are tied for the most goals scored in Major League Soccer action in 2026 with 46, but neither side has shown the same proficiency at keeping the ball out of its own net.

Fans love goals, but Orange & Blue supporters probably wish their Lions weren't quite so generous; while the Ohio side has scored 46 goals in 19 matches (2.42 per match), it's conceded 45. (2.37).

The Herons are a little better, allowing 36 goals in 19 matches (1.89), but in seven games since returning from the World Cup break -- including three Leagues Cup dates -- Inter Miami has scored 14 but allowed 14.

Here are five suggestions to help the Herons tighten up the defense:

1. Add some pace and width to the attack. Funneling the offense through Telasco Segovia, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez -- all players who like to play in the middle of the field -- makes defenders' jobs much easier, leading to turnovers that turn into dangerous counterattacks. Allende, Berterame and Silvetti -- all expected to be starters heading into the season -- are out, but Hoyos should play some combination of youngsters Lovend's Delinois, Dániel Pintér and Preston Plambeck to add pace and width to Las Garzas' attack.

2. Get the midfield right. I'm still not sure why the Herons' signed Casemiro, but the Brazilian superstar has upset the chemistry Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul and Segovia had developed before the World Cup break. Hoyos isn't likely to bench a player with the former Brazil, Real Madrid and Manchester United defensive midfielder's resume, so Segovia, unfortunately, will have to sit. Bright, who with Micael is one of the team's best defenders, needs to play fireman in front of the defensive line, with Casemiro and De Paul connecting the lines and pushing up into the attack.

3. Trust Noah Allen and Ian Fray. For the past two seasons, management brings in newcomers to improve its wing back and center back corps, and each year the two homegrown players -- both of whom can play either role -- earn back their starting roles. Facundo Mura (right back) has been underwhelming and Sergio Reguilón inconsistent. Allen and Fray aren't spectacular, but they are reliably solid, especially defensively.

4. Play Fricio Caicedo. The 18-year-old wonderkid center back has the tools, he needs playing time to hone them. With Micael out -- and maybe with him on the pitch -- Caicedo is the Herons' most intimidating backline presence.

5. Give Dayne St. Clair a second chance. The 2025 Goalkeeper of the Year struggled to adapt to Miami's style during the season's first half, eventually losing his job to last year's MLS Cup-winning netminder, Rocco Ríos Novo. Rocco Blocco has had his own problems, giving up easy goals on not one but two embarrassing mistakes. Both keepers are OK, but OK isn't good enough for Inter Miami's ambitions. Still, St. Clair deserves a chance to show he can grow into the role.

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