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MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Defeats Sporting San Miguelito in Preseason Friendly in Panama City, Panama | Inter Miami CF

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MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Defeats Sporting San Miguelito in Preseason Friendly in Panama City, Panama | Inter Miami CF


Inter Miami CF completed another successful stop on The Americas Preseason Tour, this time securing a 1-3 victory over Sporting San Miguelito at a packed Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, Panama.

The match was highlighted by the first goals for the Club from recent signings Tadeo Allende and Fafa Picault. Additionally, Academy product Benjamin Cremaschi scored the opening goal for Inter Miami.

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The Americas Preseason Tour will continue with Inter Miami’s third and last preparation matchup in Latin America. The next stop on the tour will see the team visit Honduran giants Club Deportivo Olimpia at the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. ET. Tickets for the thrilling preseason friendly in Honduras are available HERE.





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One huge Miami Heat X-Factor, defending the Detroit Pistons and other keys

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One huge Miami Heat X-Factor, defending the Detroit Pistons and other keys


The match-up on Saturday night between the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons is more than just a homecoming game for one specific sharpshooter. The number one seed vs the number three seed in the Eastern Conference is quite the draw.

Duncan Robinson making his return to the building is a fun storyline as well, considering the Heat will be giving him a tribute video pregame.

The Heat will be trying to extend their winning streak to seven, yet it should be their biggest test to date.

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So, let’s get into some keys for this matchup:

1. How will the rotation shake out now?

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Nov 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts agains the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of an NBA Cup game at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

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Jaime Jaquez Jr’s questionable tag in this game is the one swing factor for game-plans shifting for Miami. Other than that, it’s pretty simple how the Heat need to treat this rotation. For one, many of the fans in favor of Kel’el Ware starting may be in for a treat tonight, as the positional size of the Pistons could cause problems with Heat going small. Aside from the starting lineup talk, staggering Norman Powell and Tyler Herro instead of a five man bench unit again is important. Running Powell with that second unit to allow him to find his offensive rhythm is a definite key. Will the Heat need Simone Fontecchio’s shooting? Can they play both Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith? A tough matchup like this will shine light on the guys Erik Spoelstra trusts most.

2. One X-Factor Heat player tonight.

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Dec 7, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) celebrates with guard Tyler Herro (14) after Herro made a three-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

There’s a real X-Factor in this match-up that I believe will be a big reason if the Heat do indeed extend their winning streak to seven. It’s not their two elite scorers in the back-court. It’s not their two-way big man captain. It’s not even their second year 7 footer who has been on a massive run. Actually, the guy to watch for is Andrew Wiggins. For one, he’s the guy to watch when it comes to evening out lineups across the game, just due to his off-ball fit in many spots. But in this match-up, his defense will absolutely be needed. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren in the front-court aside, Ausar Thompson and Cade Cunningham are not easy covers for small guards. Wiggins will be needed to stay out of foul trouble, and bother their lengthy perimeter guys much of the night.

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3. What to watch for when defending the Pistons?

Mar 19, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) and center Bam Adebayo (13) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Pistons roster consists of constant paint threats that can hurt you in different ways. Duren around the rim off second chance opportunities or lobs. Thompson or Harris on short paint shots. Cunningham off normal dribble penetration. Yet with all that two point success, they currently rank 28th in three point attempts. Sometimes the Heat’s early clock offense can get them in trouble when taking too many twos, but the Pistons style doesn’t consist of jacking up three balls all night. But the area that will hurt is the free throw line. Detroit ranks third in free throw attempts a night, and it’s the simplest way to slow down Miami’s offense. Easier said than done, but Miami needs to prioritize containing in this one.



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Inter Miami vs. New York City FC: Three Key Battles That Could Decide MLS Eastern Conference Final

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Inter Miami vs. New York City FC: Three Key Battles That Could Decide MLS Eastern Conference Final


Inter Miami are in the form of their lives. They hope this continues when they welcome New York City FC to Chase Stadium on Saturday night for the Eastern Conference final, with a berth in the 2025 MLS Cup on the line. 

While Miami brings star power and holds home pitch advantage, they come up against a New York City side riding high after eliminating the Supporters’ Shield winners. And there are reasons for NYCFC to believe they can pull off another upset here. 

Sports Illustrated takes a look at three key battles that could define which team earns the honor of facing San Diego FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS Cup on Dec. 6 

Lionel Messi, Matt Freese

Lionel Messi (left) looks to get the better of Matt Freese (right) in the playoffs. / Jeff Dean/Getty Images, Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Lionel Messi has been on an absolute heater for Inter Miami all season and has taken things a step further in the playoffs. After a regular season that saw him score 29 goals and register 19 assists in 29 games, he now has six goals and six assists in just four playoff games. 

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But, he hasn’t seen a goalkeeper like U.S. men’s national team backstop, Matt Freese. The 27-year-old has been in stellar form as well, posting five saves–including four outstanding stops–against the Philadelphia Union, to help NYCFC advance past the Supporters’ Shield champions. 

While Messi has shown his ability to score in nearly every way possible, the clear-cut opportunities he saw and created against FC Cincinnati and Nashville will be fewer against a stronger defensive team. The opportunities he does get will come up against a better goalie between the posts. 

If NYCFC pulls off the upset, Freese will have a big part to play in it. If he’s not on his game, well, Miami can put together its plans to beat San Diego or the Whitecaps in MLS Cup. 

Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets will battle in midfield against Kevin O’Toole. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Kevin O’Toole has had quite a few weeks. He was called up to Ireland for the first time, making the bench as the Irish beat Portugal in a game Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off. Now, he’s clashing with Sergio Busquets in midfield, as well as Messi and the other stars in Miami. 

If anyone is playing with confidence, it’s him. Against Philadelphia, he shut down Danley Jean Jaques and recorded eight defensive contributions.

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He will likely be paired with Aidan O’Neill (who served a one-match suspension against Philadelphia) and tasked with combating Busquets in central midfield, and working the ball away from the Spaniard and Rodrigo De Paul. Busquets, in particular, has been potent with his ability to slide passes through Nashville and FC Cincinnati’s midfield and clogging things up in that area of the pitch will be critical for NYCFC. 

Lionel Messi - MLS Cup

Lionel Messi was unable to help Inter Miami to a win in the 2025 Leagues Cup final against Seattle Sounders FC. / Rich Lam/Getty Images

Outside of the individual player level, the mentality of both teams is starkly different, with NYCFC on the road and Inter Miami facing a match of defining proportions. 

Led by the veteran poise of Maxi Moralez, New York City FC knows how to win playoff games on the road. In their run to the 2021 MLS Cup title, NYCFC played every game after the first round on the road, just as they would have to do should they make it all the way to the trophy this time around. 

Meanwhile, Miami has fallen short in the most defining games. So far through the playoffs, it has been about seeing off disaster in the wake of the 2024 first-round elimination against Atlanta United. 

They have been able to push the season through two rounds for the first time in club history, but now comes their first massive test–they would even get to lift the Eastern Conference trophy should they win here. 

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Miami’s ability to win trophies doesn’t paint a pretty picture: A 2024 Leagues Cup final loss and a 2023 U.S. Open Cup loss hangs alongside their 2023 Leagues Cup title, the only knockout trophy Miami has captured to date.

On Saturday, one of those aspects has to fall. Will it be NYCFC’s away abilities, or Miami’s poor record in big games? 

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP



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North Miami marks 50th Thanksgiving Day parade

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North Miami marks 50th Thanksgiving Day parade


NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — The sound of drums and cheers filled Northwest 125th Street on Thursday as North Miami carried on a beloved holiday tradition — its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Hundreds lined the route early, including longtime resident Joann Cesar, who has been attending for two decades.

“It’s a family tradition. We make it every time to support the culture and the residents,” Cesar said. “I love coming every year.”

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City leaders say the parade has become a signature Thanksgiving morning event.

“For families, it’s coming together,” Vice Mayor Kassandra Timothe said. “Who else has a parade if you can’t go to Macy’s, right? We have our own little Thanksgiving Day parade here in North Miami.”

It wasn’t just locals taking in the festivities. Cheng Li, visiting from China, said his family arrived early to get a good spot along the route.

“This is our first time celebrating this holiday because in China this is not a public holiday,” he said.

City officials say this year’s parade took a full year to plan, bringing together schools, community groups and local bands to help kick off the holiday.

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“This is the only parade in South Florida on Thanksgiving morning,” Timothe said. “Here in the city of North Miami, we are celebrating with community, with schools, with local bands.”

This year’s event also carried extra excitement as North Miami prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday.

“We will be celebrating our centennial, so this makes it more special,” Mayor Alix Desume said.

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.

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