Inter Miami goes LAST in MLS Eastern Conference as pressure grows on Phil Neville

Inter Miami have fallen to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings in Major League Soccer after a 1-0 defeat to Montreal on Saturday night.

Phil Neville’s team have now won twice in their last 12 MLS games and have a miserable points tally of 15 points from 14 games.

Saturday’s defeat – Chinonso Offor hit the decisive goal in the 53rd minute of the game – will pile the pressure on coach Phil Neville, a former Manchester United teammate of Miami owner David Beckham.

DC United’s loss to Toronto – who started the day in last place – meant Miami are now rock bottom of the standings.

Miami had 14 shots in the game but again could not take the chances on offer – an issue that has derailed the season so far. 

Neville had momentarily lifted the pressure on his shoulders earlier in May with two straight wins against Atlanta United and New England Revolution. But those results may have been a false dawn.

It was a season that promised so much for Miami and Neville – they swooped for Josef Martinez from Atlanta to fill the void left by Gonzalo Higuain’s retirement but the striker has only managed three goals to date in 12 games.

Neville and Miami have made no secret of their desire to bring Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer as well. 

But with the hundreds of millions on offer from the Saudi league and links of an emotional return to Barcelona that won’t go away, why would Messi join Miami now? The perks of life in the United States are a harder sell with a team that keeps losing.

Neville has, at times, looked like he is feeling the pressure. He swore at a reporter last weekend after the 3-1 loss to Orlando for interrupting him and then forgot what question he was answering.

Back in March, when the-then Chicago Fire coach Ezra Hendrickson said he exploited Miami’s defending from wide play to beat the team 3-2, Neville called his comments ‘bulls***’, even though Hendrickson appeared to have a point.

Miami hosts New York Red Bulls next, on Wednesday night. Under the guidance of newly-appointed coach Troy Lesesne, Red Bulls look to be on a bit of a resurgence.