Miami, FL
Suarez, Messi score in Inter Miami preseason loss
Inter Miami finally broke through with the team’s first goals of its preseason world tour – including one each from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – but it wasn’t enough in a 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal on Monday.
The loss is Miami’s second of preseason, which opened with a scoreless draw against the El Salvador national team and a 1-0 loss to FC Dallas.
The game was played as part of the Riyadh Season Cup, which continues on Thursday with a highly-anticipated Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo matchup as Miami takes on Al-Nassr.
Here are some takeaways from the match.
Suarez, Messi looking more in sync with teammates
After failing to score in their first two preseason games, Inter Miami finally started to look a bit more connected and polished in the final third on Monday.
Luis Suarez scored his first goal of the preseason with a finish into an empty net after an Al Hilal defender toe-poked the ball away from Julian Gressel and into his path just a few yards away from the net. Despite initially being ruled offside, VAR showed that it was the defender, not Gressel, who played the ball into Suarez’s path for the goal.
💥 LUIS SUAREZ 💥
His first goal for @InterMiamiCF! pic.twitter.com/oEhVqKS7UB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 29, 2024
Despite coming off that touch, the movement from Gressel and Suarez was very good on the goal and showed some signs of the growing connection between new teammates.
After Al Hilal opened things back up to 3-1, Lionel Messi got his first goal of the preseason with a penalty kick finish after homegrown David Ruiz drew the foul in the box. A minute later, Ruiz had the moment of the match with an impressive strike, getting on the end of a Messi pass, cutting back into his right foot and lashing home a strike inside the near post.
TAKE A BOW, DAVID RUIZ
What a beauty to level it 3-3 for @InterMiamiCF! pic.twitter.com/6qrv9dMOU6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 29, 2024
Giving up a late goal to lose, 4-3, is never a positive, but Inter Miami will have some good things to take away from the performance overall. – Paul Tenorio
Defensive struggles
Inter Miami continues to struggle defensively, primarily in transition. However, against Al Hilal, missed assignments and poor clearances were factors in the home side’s goals. Additionally, goalkeeper Drake Callender had an average night. He was shaky on the ball and failed to command his box with authority.
Miami’s winless start is enough to sound the alarms for some, but no one should be panicking just yet. These are tests, and surely head coach Tata Martino will use these setbacks and the uninspired defensive performances, to focus on what needs to be improved before the MLS season opener on Feb. 21. – Felipe Cardenas
GO DEEPER
Inter Miami to wear new home kit against Al Hilal
Another key injury
For the third time this preseason, Inter Miami saw a projected starter leave a friendly early with an injury. In the second half, center back Sergiy Kryvtsov appeared worse for wear after heading a powerful shot with the side of his head. The potential contact to his temple left him seated on the field for a couple of minutes. The Ukraine international attempted to play on, but was substituted off minutes later after again needing to sit on the pitch.
This first friendly of their preseason world tour saw Facundo Farias suffer a season-ending ACL injury, while the following game saw U.S. international Benjamin Cremaschi suffer a sports hernia that’ll require at least 2-3 months of recovery. Considering the fact that defense is far and away the weakest area of the pitch for Miami, seeing Kryvstov miss time would be another blow to the team’s lofty expectations in 2024. – Jeff Rueter
(Photo: FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Miami, FL
Every Dolphins head coach’s start in Miami from worst to best
Jeff Hafley became the 12th full-time head coach in Miami Dolphins history following the firing of Mike McDaniel in January.
Most of the previous coaches began their careers with a decent roster to work with. That isn’t the case for Hafley, who, like Brian Flores, will begin his NFL career with a gutted roster full of question marks but a better hope for the future.
Hafley will be safe in his job for at least three seasons, barring something unforeseen. Stephen Ross likes the direction the team is heading, and he understands that patience is needed. In 2019, his patience with Flores was quickly lost for many reasons.
Hafley will face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this year. He isn’t likely to get off to a quick start in his coaching career. Looking at other former Dolphins’ coaches, it will be interesting to see how he stacks up, despite the roster.
Jeff Hafley has a tough road to make a first year impact as the Miami Dolphins head coach
Cam Cameron – 0-13
To be fair to Cameron, he did open his first and only season as the Dolphins’ HC with an overtime loss to the then Washington Redskins. Cameron started with 13 consecutive losses before beating the Ravens two weeks before the end of the season. Six of his losses were by three points.
Brian Flores – 0-7
Flores and the Dolphins’ management team gutted the roster. The epic 2019 rebuild never materialized on the field, but the Dolphins were not expected to do much that season. Flores’ hardliner decisions were a huge change to the previous coaching staff, eventually wearing thin.
The Dolphins managed to finish the year with five wins, which was a bigger accomplishment than many had believed possible. This is the season that Hafley will be compared to the most. He is inheriting the same level of roster experience, with a tough schedule. Five wins would be an exceptional start.
George Wilson – 0-5
Wilson spent the majority of his career coaching the NFL’s Detroit Lions before switching to the AFL’s Dolphins. He would spend three years coaching the Dolphins, but his first season wouldn’t see a victory until week six against the Broncos. Wilson lost his first five games, with the closest being a 5-point loss in week two to the Jets. Miami would beat the Broncos and Oilers in back-to-back weeks, then beat the Oilers again in the final game of the season, to finish 3-11.
Tony Sparano – 0-2
In what remains one of the best turnarounds in NFL history, Sparano inherited Cameron’s 1-11 roster. He led the Dolphins to an AFC East title and the playoffs in his first season, but he didn’t get off to a great start early.
Sparano’s Dolphins lost their first two games, but the implementation and debut of the WildCat would change their fortunes. Miami won nine of its final 10 games to finish 11-5.
Adam Gase – 0-2
Gase was supposed to be the next offensive genius. For a short time, he appeared to be heading in the direction of proving everyone right. The Dolphins got off to a slow start in his first season, eventually finishing 10-6. Miami took second place in the AFC East and earned a playoff spot, but the Dolphins lost in the Wild Card round to the Steelers.
Joe Philibin – 0-1
The start of Joe Philbin’s career in Miami was much like his final year, uninspiring. Miami lost their first game, but managed to turn the season into something promising. They finished 7-9, but had opportunities. Philbin wasn’t a bad coach; he just wasn’t a good one either.
Dave Wannstedt – 0-1
Wannstedt had the rare privilege of taking over a well-built roster. After spending a season working under Johnson as a Dolphins coach, he took over after Johnson abruptly retired from the league. He would win his first game, lose his second, and then run off four consecutive wins. Miami won the AFC East in 2000 and advanced to the playoffs, where they lost to the Raiders. They finished 11-5.
Don Shula – 0-1
Shula got off to a fast start after leading the Colts to Super Bowl III. The loss to the Jets was the catalyst for his departure. In Miami, Shula would become a legend. Taking over for Wilson, Shula lost his first game as the Dolphins’ HC.
The 27-14 drubbing of the Boston Patriots would lead to a four-game winning streak, followed by a three-game losing streak. In traditional Shula fashion, the Dolphins would turn it all around and run off six straight victories, earning them their first playoff appearance in franchise history with a 10-4 record.
Jimmy Johnson – 3-0
Many fans believed it was time for a coaching change, and so did owner Wayne Huizenga. Shula retired, and Johnson was the big-name hire. Johnson wasn’t able to develop the Dolphins into a dynasty as he did with the Cowboys; in fact, he couldn’t get them deep into the playoffs.
To a lesser degree, Johnson began making wholesale changes to the Dolphins roster to build it in his own vision. His first season was an average .500 at 8-8, but his quick start had fans believing the right decision was made. Johnson’s team won three straight to kick off the coach’s career in Miami, but they would only win five games the rest of the year.
Mike McDaniel – 3-0
McDaniel was the complete opposite of Flores. He inherited a good football team in need of direction. He was another offensive guru who didn’t come in kicking down doors like Flores, but instead brought a youthful energy that the players immediately gravitated toward.
Under McDaniel, the Dolphins would rattle off 9 wins and squeak into the playoffs, where they lost to the Bills by three, without their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. McDaniel’s exuberance was greatly needed, but as the seasons continued, his energy wasn’t enough to win games when the players needed more discipline. McDaniel couldn’t find the right balance between the two.
Follow
Miami, FL
Bradley Beal to Miami Heat rumors draw skepticism
Bradley Beal is reportedly a free agent after declining his player option to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat have been linked to him with the start of NBA free agency looming.
Miami is looking to add floor spacers following its trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Beal fits the bill as he’s a career 37.6% shooter from beyond the arc and would provide the team with a lot of experience.
Advertisement
MORE: Projecting the 2026 Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup after Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
Underdog NBA shared the update reported by NBA Prime’s Chris Haynes on X. However, fans expressed skepticism about his fit and what he would bring to the franchise.
“Bradley Beal about to scam the Miami Heat like he did the Phoenix Suns and the LA Clippers,” one fan wrote.
“He said watch out like if Beal is still a good player,” a comment read.
“not a soul is worried about where bradley beal is going. we waiting on the jaylen brown trade,” one user said.
“That’s suppose to scare the Celtics ?” posted another.
Advertisement
“How can any team want this dude?” a comment read.
“Their whole team will be over 30 years old at this rate,” another fan commented.
Beal signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers on July 18, 2025. However, he played only six games last season as doctors performed a season-ending surgery to repair a hip fracture.
Bradley Beal’s career stats
The 33-year-old is coming off a major injury and hasn’t played a full season since 2018-19. However, he last received All-Star honors in 2021 and could still be a solid contributor if given ample playing time. Beal averages 21.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 3PM in his career.
Advertisement
He could sign a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, which would give him a chance to secure a more lucrative contract if he performs well. A low-risk, high-reward scenario will work well for Miami as it maneuvers its salary cap situation.
Miami, FL
Person hospitalized after fire breaks out at North Miami Beach apartment building
A person was hospitalized after a fire broke out at an apartment building in North Miami Beach on Monday, officials said.
The fire happened at the 7-story building at 16850 S. Glades Drive.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said crews found smoke and flames coming from a unit on the sixth floor.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and were able to bring it under control before checking to see if other units were damaged.
Officials said two patients were assessed including one who was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No other details were immediately known.
Check back with NBC6 for updates.
-
Wyoming1 minute agoFree Crow Culture Program at Fort Phil Kearny
-
Crypto4 minutes agoUK investors sue Binance in London for £150 million
-
Finance9 minutes agoWhat the Supreme Court’s campaign finance ruling means for the 2026 election
-
Fitness16 minutes agoI pushed myself too hard at the gym – and ended up in the hospital
-
Movie Reviews24 minutes agoYoung Washington (Christian Movie Review) – The Collision
-
World34 minutes agoNeon Closing in on Luca Guadagnino’s Sam Altman Open AI Movie ‘Artificial’ After Amazon Drops Controversial Film
-
Lifestyle1 hour ago‘Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep’ is full of beautifully written grotesqueries
-
Technology1 hour agoGoogle’s NotebookLM can sum up your research in a TikTok-style clip