"Say what you will about New York City FC missing key pieces in Saturday's Eastern Conference Final, but one thing is certain: past versions of Inter Miami still would've crumbled under the weight of Pascal Jansen's understaffed attack. Even without star Costa Rica striker Alonso Martínez bearing down on them, it's easy to picture Inter Miami from, say, the spring when they lost four games in five across all competitions, giving up a sloppy goal and falling short of MLS Cup. Only seven teams allowed more non-penalty xG in the regular season than Miami, according to FBref."
"For most of this season, then, Inter Miami have been carried by one of the league's greatest-ever attacks -- and held back by a wildly lackluster defense. That is, until the postseason kicked off. Now following Miami's 5-1 win over New York City in the Conference Final round, this team has allowed 1.0 xG or less in four of their last five games for the first time since Lionel Messi and friends joined in the summer of 2023. With dialed-in pressing, solid mid-block defending, and goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo stepping up in big moments, Inter Miami's defense is no longer a hindrance. It's a significant help,"
Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 5-1 to win the Eastern Conference, while the Vancouver Whitecaps beat San Diego FC 3-1 to claim their first Western Conference title. Inter Miami entered the season with one of the league's most potent attacks but a weak defense, conceding high non-penalty xG totals in the regular season. In the postseason the defense tightened, allowing 1.0 xG or less in four of five recent matches, aided by aggressive pressing, a solid mid-block and key saves from goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo. Vancouver advanced behind Thomas Müller and secured a maiden Western Conference crown.
Read at ESPN.com
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