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For numerous years, Major League Soccer (MLS) has been a point of mockery for many football fans worldwide. They cite the lower level of competition compared to the more established tournaments like the Premier League and La Liga. The salary cap and the Designated Player (DP) Rule are also deemed unconventional and hinder the growth of homegrown talent.
But despite this, the league’s popularity has continuously increased over the years, and even those engaged in football betting in Malaysia have started to take notice of the competition. One team is considered the catalyst for MLS to become one of the most talked-about tournaments in the past two years—Inter Miami CF.
From the signing of who many considered the best to ever do it to jumping to the top of the standings, the Herons have been one of the most exciting things to happen in MLS history.
Building the Team
After retiring in 2013, David Beckham, along with some other investors, has expressed his interest in buying a Miami-based MLS team. After years of failed negotiations for a downtown stadium deal, the Miami Beckham United group was finally awarded the 25th league franchise in January 2018, and the team is slated to start playing in the 2020 season.
The group introduced Club Internacional de Futbol Miami (shortened to Inter Miami CF) in September 2018. In December 2019, Diego Alonso was announced as the inaugural head coach. The team will play in Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which is now known as Chase Stadium.
Their first season, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, can be considered somewhat mediocre as they finished 19th overall out of 26 teams with 24 points. In the 2021 MLS season, new head coach Phil Neville has led the team to finish in 20th place with 41 points.
The Start of the Messi Era
The 2023 season started pretty poorly for the team, with them only tallying 5 wins and 11 losses (no draws) by June 3 and placing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. But on June 5, 2023, unexpected news sent shockwaves across the football world as Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi expressed his interest in signing with the team after leaving PSG. He officially signed a DP contract on July 15 and was presented to the fans in a ceremony the next day.
But apart from Messi, several other high-profile names, mostly Messi’s Barcelona teammates, have found their way to the team since last year. Sergio Busquets was with Messi during the unveiling ceremony on July 16, Jordi Alba signed on July 21, and Sergio Aguero signed in December 2023. The trio of Messi, Busquets, and Alba made their MLS debut on August 26, 2023, winning 2-0 against the New York Red Bulls.
The Turnaround
Yes, the arrival of the big guns didn’t really impact the team’s final 2023 standing, as they still finished 14th out of 15 in the Eastern table and 27th overall (out of 29 teams). But Inter Miami still did some notable things late last year, including reaching the finals of the US Open Cup and winning the Leagues Cup. However, having a high-calibre player like Messi is a sign that better things will come to the team.
Right after Messi’s arrival to South Florida, resale tickets to his first game with the club increased by over 1000%. Inter Miami also saw a significant surge in popularity, with Google searches of the team increasing by around 1200%. The team also became the top-selling club in Fanatics across all sports from July 17 to July 20 and is now valued at 1 billion USD.
But more than all the big business that Messi brings to the table, what matters most is if his arrival will impact team performance in the league; that’s exactly what the team is working on this year.
23 games into the season, the team is currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference and second in the overall table with 14 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws for 47 points. Messi and Suarez have 12 goals each, and Messi also has 13 assists in 12 appearances. There are still 33 points (11 games) left for play, but the team’s current form has been a significant improvement from their previous seasons.
Betting on Inter Miami to Win the MLS Cup
Although team performance has already changed significantly this year, Messi and company still have a lot of work to do to win the team’s first MLS trophy. They have been the heavy favourites to win the 2024 title, and many are counting on the team to make history later this year.
For those looking to place wagers on the possible winner of the MLS, going for Inter Miami to win it all can be a safe bet. However, it’s still better to consider other teams contending for the championship. Teams like FC Cincinnati (who just trashed Inter Miami 6-0 by the time of writing) and LAFC are also capable of spoiling the fun for The Herons.
But if you are looking for the best platform for online betting in Malaysia where you can place bets on MLS and other football leagues around the world, then CM2Bet MY is for you. We offer competitive odds on various football competitions, potentially allowing you to win big for each bet. Visit www.cm2bet.com/my today to get started!
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