Miami news: The history of Inter Miami CF - The MLS club on the rise
Football, better known as soccer in the United States, has never received the same level of attention or popularity as its sporting counterparts; however, it is now as popular as ever, with no signs of slowing down.
From successful youth development, increased investment, and a growing number of passionate fans, football in the United States is thriving.
But another key reason comes from the city of Miami, and the introduction and development of Florida’s second MLS team, Inter Miami.
Here, Florida News Blitz writer Joseph Hannen looks at the history of Inter Miami since their official announcement in January 2018.
Early development
Inter Miami officially launched as the MLS’s 25th club in 2018 with a global vision, according to Managing Owner and CEO Jorge Mas.
However, the priority has been, and remains, the Miami community, building a passion for football and representing one of America’s most vibrant cities.
Fast forward one year, and the former Lockhart Stadium was demolished in May and replaced with Inter Miami’s home stadium, Chase Stadium.
The first official Inter Miami match took place in August, as the academy team travelled to South Korea to compete in the 2019 K-League U17’s Championship tournament.
The club badge was on show for the first time as the academy team won their first game 2-0 against Asnan.
The club badge influences
The Inter Miami badge quickly became an admirable and popular emblem worldwide, accompanied by stunning kits to match.
The influences that went into the badge stem from Miami's culture and heritage.
The white herons, a prominent symbol in the city, symbolise freedom and agility with their legs locked to create an M figure.
The eclipse with seven rays symbolised both David Beckham’s iconic number seven and the sun, since Florida is known as the Sunshine State.
Even the colour scheme is directly connected to the city, as black and pink represent the sky at dusk and dawn.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Florida news: Which Florida college should you use in College Football 26?
Competing in the MLS
Inter Miami’s MLS debut took place on March 1, 2020, against MLS giants Los Angeles FC, with the match ending in a narrow 1-0 loss.
However, the Herons debuted at their home stadium with a 3-2 win over Orlando City, their regional rivals.
Their first two seasons ended with respectable 10th and 11th place finishes in the Eastern Conference league, with overall finishes of 19th and 20th, respectively.
Inter Miami recorded a 6th-place finish in the Eastern Conference in 2022, showcasing their impressive development both on and off the pitch.
In March 2022, Fort Lauderdale CF rebranded as Inter Miami CF II and joined the new American development league named MLS Next Pro.
The Herons qualified for the MLS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons in October, after beating Orlando City 4-1.
The fastest goal in Inter Miami history was recorded in the match, as Leo Campana struck after only 35 seconds.
Bienvenido Messi
On June 15, 2023, Inter Miami announced the signing of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, an incredibly transformative moment in Inter Miami’s history.
The MLS has been home to many footballing icons over the years, with the likes of Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, and even Pelé, who played for the New York Cosmos in a time before the MLS’s existence.
However, Inter Miami was not shy about bringing big names before Messi’s arrival, as big-name striker and three-time La Liga winner Gonzalo Higuian joined in September 2020.
Legendary players from Barcelona followed, with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba seizing the opportunity to represent Inter Miami in 2023.
One of football’s best strikers of the 21st century also joined in 2024, as Luis Suarez became the next former Barcelona player to reunite with Messi.
Inter Miami’s best achievements so far
Winning the Inaugural Leagues Cup in 2023 was yet another milestone in the club’s history, defeating Nashville SC on penalties.
The club followed that up with the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, which also secured qualification to the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
The FIFA Club World Cup was a massive occasion for The Herons, who managed to beat Portuguese giants FC Porto and qualify from their group.
Champions League winners PSG proved too strong in the round of 16, although their journey in the tournament was a testament to how far they've come in such a short time.
READ NEXT: Florida news: Review of PopStroke, the Delray Beach experience designed by Tiger Woods
