This is a game of moments. Moments that inspire, frustrate, and amaze. For this writer, and everyone else that had the privilege of watching today’s match, there were more than a few sources of inspiration on the field today — wearing both blue and pink. While a fun quip about the city of Miami would normally start this recap off with a bang, it feels more appropriate to simply acknowledge that we all just got to witness a special moment. Now, with the sappy stuff out of the way, let’s start roasting the visitors.
Your Loons took down the reigning Supporters’ Shield champs today by a score of 4-1, in what was simultaneously one of MNUFC’s best and Inter Miami’s worst showings of 2025. The electric atmosphere provided by the Allianz Field faithful brought a palpable energy to this one, with the stands all but full nearly an hour before kickoff.
Eric Ramsay kept a good thing going from last week’s 3-0 win in Austin, lining up in the very same 3-4-2-1 formation that helped the Loons reignite their offense. Miami came out with their big guns on the field, as captain Lionel Messi started up top for the visitors with the likes of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in their usual spots behind him.
This one unfolded almost exactly as many people envisioned ahead of time, with Miami knocking the ball around in hopes that their special players could find a way to break through the disciplined defense of the Loons. Meanwhile, the hosts leaned into their strengths, playing direct and taking space better than any other team in the league has managed to do this season. By the 15th minute, it was clear that MNUFC’s counter attack was capable of causing more than a few problems for the opposition, and with every close call, the Black and Blue only grew in confidence.
The pressure came to a head in the 33rd minute, when some lovely hold-up play from Robin Lod led to a smooth combination with Joaquín Pereyra and Carlos Harvey, who slid a perfect through ball to the feet of Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Bongi’s first-time strike across the goal put the deserving hosts up, and the ensuing celebrations would’ve knocked the roof off of any domed arena.
The Loons stayed on top for the remainder of the half, forcing Messi to come progressively deeper and deeper just to get on the ball. As the Herons grew more frustrated, Eric Ramsay’s men began pouncing on wayward passes in the attacking third, enabling them to counter from even more advantageous positions than before. The forward runs of Tani Oluwaseyi wreaked havoc on Miami’s backline, tiring them out and creating space for teammates.
Just before the whistle blew, an old friend, the Michael-Boxall-long-throw, showed itself once again. Nicolás Romero met the throw at the front post and flicked it on to the back, leaving the unmarked Anthony Markanich free to double the lead with his second goal in as many games.
The visitors pulled themselves back into the match after the break, courtesy of Messi’s 48th-minute strike. As the Argentine legend began to roam more freely, he was able to find pockets of space to work with, reminding the Loons that players of this caliber are always dangerous.
Following the goal, Ramsay had to make a decision; would his side pack it in and preserve the lead, or would they keep on pushing and playing their game by searching for more? In the 57th minute, he answered that question emphatically, subbing Kelvin Yeboah on for the injured Jefferson Diaz. The Loons don’t compromise; more goals to come.
Now operating in a more familiar 5-3-2 formation, the Black and Blue only needed a few more minutes to restore the two-goal lead, as an Inter Miami own goal once again exposed the visitors’ flawed set-piece defense. Before the smoke could clear, Robin Lod added a fourth, capping off a classic Loons counter led by the direct running of Tani Oluwaseyi.
That fourth goal seemed to take away whatever resistance Miami had left in them, firmly halting the comeback attempt and wrapping up three points for the hosts as the crowd cried out, “We want five.” Though that fifth goal never came, Wil Trapp did put Messi in his pocket in the closing stages of the match, and, to me, that counts as a goal.
In a match that saw the Loons embrace their strengths, we were once again treated to the best version of what this team can be: Defensively superb and incredibly threatening on the break. The exceptional efforts of Tani Oluwaseyi gave his side a cutting edge that made all the difference, while the standout defending of Nicolás Romero saw the Black and Blue nullify nearly every threatening passage of play Miami generated.
It was an overall fantastic performance on the day, the loudest rendition of Wonderwall I’ve ever heard in this stadium (perhaps the world), and the most goosebumps I’ve gotten since I started working here. All in all, not a bad day at the office, folks. Your Loons are, at the time of writing, second in the Western Conference with 22 points. Tune into MLS Season Pass this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT for a midweek matchup with Houston as they look to keep the good vibes going.
