Inter Miami CF's undefeated dream in Major League Soccer came crashing down as they suffered a stunning 4-3 defeat to FC Dallas at Chase Stadium on Sunday evening, April 27, 2025. The Herons, who had been riding high in the league, found themselves in a precarious position after leading 3-1 before collapsing in the final moments of the match.
Head coach Javier Mascherano made the controversial decision to rest key players Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez, all of whom watched from the sidelines. With an eye on the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Mascherano's strategy backfired as his squad struggled to maintain their early momentum.
The match kicked off with a bang as Dallas took an early lead in the eighth minute through Shaq Moore, who struck a powerful shot into the bottom corner. However, Miami quickly responded, equalizing just eight minutes later when Moore inadvertently turned Ian Fray's teasing cross into his own net, handing the Herons a lifeline.
Allen Obando, making his first start since joining the club, put Miami ahead in the 29th minute, finishing off another well-placed cross from Fray. Hector Martínez then extended Miami's lead to 3-1 with a brilliant left-footed finish in the 56th minute, seemingly putting the home team in a commanding position.
But the tide turned dramatically as Dallas mounted a fierce comeback. Osaze Urhoghide pulled one back in the 65th minute, converting a loose ball in the box that looped over goalkeeper Drake Callender. Just four minutes later, Anderson Julio leveled the score at 3-3, taking advantage of a perfectly lofted ball to slot it into the bottom corner.
The decisive moment came in the 81st minute when Pedrinho, who had come off the bench, scored the winner for Dallas with a calm finish from inside the box, capping off a well-constructed counter-attack. Miami pushed hard for an equalizer in the dying minutes but failed to create any clear-cut chances, aside from a Tadeo Allende free kick that narrowly missed the target in stoppage time.
With this loss, Miami not only ended their undefeated streak but also raised serious questions about their defensive capabilities. The Herons now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 18 points from nine matches, a stark contrast to their earlier performances.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for Miami. Allen Obando, who scored his first goal for the club, was a standout performer, as was Hector Martínez, who also found the back of the net. Fafa Picault, who scored the equalizer in the first half, demonstrated his attacking prowess, contributing significantly to the team's efforts.
In terms of statistics, Miami dominated possession with 59.1%, compared to Dallas's 40.9%. Both teams managed 13 shots, but Miami's five saves against Dallas's three highlighted the defensive frailties that ultimately cost them the match.
As they look ahead, Miami's focus will shift to their upcoming clash against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal. The Herons will need to regroup quickly to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg and keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
The defeat against FC Dallas serves as a wake-up call for Inter Miami, who must now address their defensive issues and find a way to bounce back. With key players set to return for the next match, fans will be eager to see how Mascherano's squad responds to this setback.
Player ratings from the match reflected the mixed performances on the field. Drake Callender, who replaced Oscar Ustari in goal, received a rating of 5.6/10, while Hector Martínez and Allen Obando earned commendable ratings of 7.1/10 and 7.7/10 respectively. The standout player for Dallas was Anderson Julio, who was named Player of the Match with an impressive rating of 8.7.
As the dust settles from this dramatic encounter, one thing is clear: Inter Miami must quickly learn from their mistakes if they wish to maintain their competitive edge in both MLS and the Champions Cup.
