History of The Herons
Scroll to explore the young, but fast paced life of Inter Miami
The first 5 Seasons of the club
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2020: The Hype Doesn’t Match the ResultsInter Miami entered Major League Soccer in 2020 with a ton of buzz. With David Beckham at the helm and high-profile signings like Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain, expectations were sky-high. Both players had incredible careers in Europe, and their arrival sent ticket and jersey sales through the roof. But while the excitement was real, the results weren’t. Miami finished 10th in the Eastern Conference, a disappointing start for a team based in one of America’s most vibrant sports markets. The club moved on from its first head coach and hoped for a reset in year two.
2021: Trouble on and off the PitchInter Miami’s sophomore season wasn’t much better—if anything, it was more turbulent. The team got hit with a $2 million fine for incorrectly classifying Matuidi’s contract, violating MLS roster rules. It was a major front-office blunder that not only hurt their reputation but also impacted their ability to build a competitive squad. On the field, Matuidi struggled to make an impact, scoring just one goal, while Higuain netted 12. Despite some individual success, the team still lacked cohesion and fell short again. The “retirement league” criticisms surrounding MLS only grew louder
.2022: A New Look and a Fresh StartIn 2022, Inter Miami tried to reinvent itself. The club redesigned its kits to reflect Miami’s personality—bold, vibrant, and unapologetically pink. The rebrand was more than just visual; it reflected a shift in mindset. The team parted ways with Matuidi and brought in younger, more dynamic players like DeAndre Yedlin, Leonardo Campana, and Jean Mota. The result? A solid step forward. Inter Miami finished 6th in the Eastern Conference and made the playoffs for the first time. Higuain, in his final professional season, scored 16 goals before hanging up his boots.
2023: The Messi Effect BeginsThe 2023 season was a rollercoaster. Miami started off at the bottom of the standings and parted ways with head coach Phil Neville. Then came the turning point: the arrival of Tata Martino as head coach and, shortly after, Lionel Messi. The signing of Messi—just six months after winning the World Cup—sent shockwaves through the sports world. Joining him were his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and just like that, Inter Miami became a global spectacle. Messi scored 11 goals in 14 matches and helped the team win its first trophy: the Leagues Cup. Though they ultimately missed the MLS playoffs, the energy around the team had completely transformed.2024: Record-Breaking Regular Season, Same Postseason Pain
In 2024, the excitement only grew. Luis Suárez reunited with Messi, Alba, and Busquets in Miami, and the club had one of the most dominant regular seasons in MLS history. They finished first in the Supporters’ Shield race, setting a record for most points in a season. Messi and Suárez were electric, combining for nearly 50 goals across all competitions. Off the pitch, Inter Miami's value skyrocketed to $1.2 billion—second highest in MLS—thanks to the superstar power and massive media deals. But despite all the regular season success, the club crashed out early in the playoffs, reigniting questions about their defensive commitment and long-term strategy.
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/28/inter-miam-fined-blaise-matuidi.
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https://us.soccerway.com/players/gonzalo-gerardo-higuain/5274/.
https://sbisoccer.com/2022/02/mls-2022-inter-miami-season-preview
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/28/inter-miami-tata-martino-coach-lionel-messi-reunion
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https://sbisoccer.com/2023/06/inter-miami-fires-phil-neville-as-head-coach.
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https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42296246/inter-miami-lionel-messi-atlanta-united-mls-playoffs.
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/jan/10/inter-miami-mls-contender-messi-suarez.
Stadium Struggles
When David Beckham brought an MLS team to Miami in 2018, the hype was real. A soccer legend launching a club in one of the sport’s most passionate markets? It felt like a perfect match.
But building a home stadium proved tougher than expected. Plans to break ground in downtown Miami fell through, and with time running out before the 2020 season, the team had to pivot—fast. Beckham and his partners ended up spending over $100 million to build a temporary stadium in Fort Lauderdale, nearly an hour from their core Miami fanbase.
Now, after years of delays and detours, Inter Miami is finally getting its proper home. The 28,000-seat Miami Freedom Park is set to open in 2026—and this time, it’s actually in Miami.
It’s been a long road, but the finish line is finally in sight.
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https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article257732478.html.
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Owner, Icon, Legend
The stars at Inter Miami aren’t just on the field—they’re in the owner’s box too. David Beckham, one of the most well-known soccer players of the 21st century, is the man behind the club. Known for his time with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the England national team, Beckham built a career that few could rival. But what truly set him apart was how his influence stretched far beyond the pitch.
With his fashion, ever-changing hairstyles, and high-profile relationship with Spice Girl Victoria Adams, Beckham became a global pop icon. He was a headline machine, captivating fans of both sports and entertainment.
His 2007 move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy shocked many. Why would one of the world’s biggest stars join a young MLS? To make it happen, the league even created the “Designated Player Rule,” allowing clubs to sign high-profile names whose salaries exceeded the cap. Beckham's arrival elevated the league's status and brought MLS into the global spotlight.
Perhaps the most visionary part of Beckham’s Galaxy deal? A clause giving him the right to own an MLS team. He exercised that option in 2018—and Inter Miami was born. The buzz was instant: a global soccer legend launching a team in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. For Beckham, it was more than business—it was the next chapter in a career that keeps rewriting the rules.
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https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-announces-significant-roster-rule-changes.
