Mascherano Stresses Team Unity Ahead of Eastern Conference Final
Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, emphasizes the importance of teamwork as his squad prepares to face New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final set for Saturday evening at Chase Stadium. Mascherano believes that every player, whether starting or on the bench, plays a vital role in securing victory.
“We understand our game plan clearly. It’s my approach not to disclose the starting lineup until the final day,” Mascherano stated. “This strategy helps maintain focus and engagement among all players. At this stage, it is crucial that everyone stays alert as we will need contributions from the entire squad.”
Recently, Mascherano altered his starting lineup, opting for Mateo Silvetti in the attack instead of Luis Suárez, a choice he described as “difficult.” He acknowledged the challenges in making such decisions due to Suárez’s significance to both the team and the club’s legacy.
“Decisions like this are never simple, especially regarding Luis, given his profile and career,” Mascherano explained. “While some choices may feel easier than others, they all carry weight, particularly when it involves replacing an established player.”
In his game strategy, Inter Miami achieved a remarkable 4-0 victory against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium, with goals from Lionel Messi, Tadeo Allende, and Mateo Silvetti. This victory marked a historic achievement for the club, as it reached the Eastern Conference final for the first time, following previous playoff exits in the first round.
Despite two consecutive playoff victories, including a decisive 4-0 win over Nashville, Mascherano cautioned that the upcoming match would still be challenging.
“Tomorrow’s match is going to be very tough. We are up against an opponent that has proven its worth by reaching the conference final and has triumphed in all three of its away playoff matches. We must not allow ourselves to get distracted by the hype surrounding the game,” he warned.
“Our mentality must be focused on winning, starting from the first minute, just as we did against Nashville and Cincinnati.”
New York City FC reached the conference final after a narrow 1-0 victory against the Philadelphia Union, the reigning Supporters’ Shield champions, at Subaru Park.
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