Mascherano ignoring outside noise after Inter Miami snap losing streak

Miami have endured a tough run, losing both legs of their Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final against the Vancouver Whitecaps, as well as suffering their first league defeat of the season, going down to FC Dallas.

Mascherano's side offered a timely reminder of their quality, however, after thrashing the New York Red Bulls 4-1 at the Chase Stadium.

Fafa Picault, Marcelo Weigandt and Luis Suarez were all on target before Lionel Messi wrapped up a dominant performance, lifting Miami to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.

"Clearly, in everything that we compete, we try to get to the highest position possible. We have shown this in the Champions [Cup]," said Mascherano.

"Sometimes we have to understand that you have an opponent; the opponent plays. Sometimes the opponent does better, like Vancouver did.

"Sometimes public opinion is to analyse the results. We analyse more than the results: the content, the why.

"I understand that there's a lot of frustration. The one who is the most frustrated is me, the coaching staff and the players, not being able to go to the final."

That man Messi strikes again!Patrick Mahomes is loving it. pic.twitter.com/o0HXoxaqxa

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 4, 2025

Messi looked out on his feet on Saturday but has now recorded a goal contribution in nine consecutive home league matches (11 goals, three assists).

That marks Messi’s longest run of home league games with a goal contribution, since also managing a nine-match streak with Barcelona in 2020.

His half-volley finish proved a fitting ending to a rout of New York, leaving Mascherano relieved with a much-needed win.

"We needed this victory after three defeats, and to have some very good feelings again," Mascherano added.

"In the first half, we had an effectiveness that we haven't had in several games, not just that we had a lot of [goalscoring] situations.

"And then we attempted in the second half with the last post entries, to manage the ball better, to control the match better, not to be as direct.

"The last 15, 20 minutes of the first half, we lost possession of the ball, they grew and they progressed on the field, and we were trying to avoid giving them control of the game."

goles en casa = puntos pic.twitter.com/tQdFVz1xrl

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 4, 2025

Miami have 21 points from 10 league matches and sit just three points back of East leaders Columbus Crew with a game in hand.

Though the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup are on the horizon, Mascherano wants Miami to maintain full focus on their MLS campaign.

"We will try to continue to do our best. We will try to learn from our mistakes. And we will continue saying that this team can compete, and we are going to face anything that comes before us," he continued.

"Today we're here to focus on MLS, trying to get to the top of this conference, and then we'll see what happens with the Club World Cup, Leagues Cup.