After a promising start to the season, Inter Miami is going through its toughest stretch of the year. A painful elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup, a string of poor results in MLS — including a heavy loss to their archrival — and a locker room searching for answers have put the team under pressure. But this Saturday presents a key opportunity: a visit to the Philadelphia Union, one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference. Within the group, there’s one phrase that keeps coming up: “It’s time to make a statement.”
While Lionel Messi appeared focused and in good spirits, one of the players who stepped up to face the media was Telasco Segovia, who didn’t shy away from acknowledging the team’s struggles.
He said the team is going through a rough patch, but will come through it “together, as Leo said.” He also shared Messi’s internal message to the team: they need to stay united, that the tough times will pass, and that they’re a great team. Saturday’s match against Philadelphia is seen as a “final” and a chance to prove their quality.
Yarbrough joins as Inter Miami’s new goalkeeper
Amid the current crisis, Inter Miami signed a key reinforcement between the posts. Following Drake Callender’s hernia surgery — which will sideline him for about eight weeks — the club moved quickly to bring in William Yarbrough, a Mexican-American goalkeeper with MLS experience and a two-time Liga MX champion with León.
In his first interview as an Inter player, Yarbrough expressed confidence and readiness, saying he’s coming to compete and has a winning mindset. “I’ve taken care of myself and hope to be at 100% soon to help the group,” he said. About joining a locker room that includes Messi, Yarbrough was clear: “It’s an honor to be here. Everyone welcomed me warmly, which speaks to the strong chemistry within the squad.”
Confidence, accountability, and Saturday’s urgency
Segovia also took personal accountability: “I take responsibility for my performance — it hasn’t been my best. I’m going through a rough patch, but I believe in myself and in the team. We’ll bounce back.” As for what he expects against Philadelphia Union: “They’re one of the top teams in the league. Saturday gives us a great chance to earn points and get back on track.”
The Venezuelan also showed support for Javier Mascherano, who has faced criticism following recent results. “We stand with the coach. It’s not just on him — we’re all responsible, because we’re a team,” he stressed.
Countdown to the Club World Cup
While the MLS remains the focus, the countdown to the FIFA Club World Cup is on. On Saturday, June 14, Inter Miami will make its tournament debut against Al Ahly of Egypt at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Segovia summed up the mindset: “Our ambition is to compete. First, we face the Egyptian team, and hopefully we move on to play Palmeiras or Porto. We’ll take it one match at a time.”
