Soccer is weird. Honestly, if you just looked at the box score from the last time we saw Minnesota United vs. Inter Miami, you’d think the Loons were some sort of unstoppable juggernaut and Miami was a basement-dweller.
Minnesota won 4-1. It wasn't even that close.
But here is the thing: Inter Miami had 67% of the ball. They completed over 700 passes. Minnesota barely hit 300. In most universes, that’s a recipe for a Miami masterclass, especially when you have Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets roaming the pitch. Instead, Eric Ramsay’s squad put on a clinic in how to destroy a "super-team" without actually needing the ball.
It was a Saturday afternoon at Allianz Field that basically shifted how people view the Loons. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement about "Culture over Cash," a phrase that later sparked a literal Instagram feud with David Beckham.
The Day the "Pink Phony Club" Label Stuck
When the 2025 schedule dropped, everyone in the Twin Cities circled May 10. It was the first time Messi was slated to play in Minnesota. The secondary market ticket prices were, frankly, disgusting.
People showed up in pink jerseys. Thousands of them. It felt a bit like a home game for Miami at first, which usually riles up the local "Wonderwall" supporters. But Minnesota United didn't blink. They let Miami have the ball, tucked into a low block, and waited.
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How the Goals Actually Went Down
Most people remember the score, but the way it happened was almost comical:
- 32nd Minute: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Bongi) opens the scoring. It started with Joaquín Pereyra basically dancing around four Miami defenders before feeding Carlos Harvey, who found Bongi. 1-0.
- 45+2 Minute: This was the backbreaker. Minnesota is famous (or infamous) for long throw-ins. Michael Boxall hurls one into the box, Nicolás Romero flicks it, and Anthony Markanich headers it home. 2-0 right at the whistle.
- 48th Minute: The Messi Moment. You can’t keep him quiet forever. Alba finds Messi, who does that little shuffle and redirects it into the far post. 2-1. For about twenty minutes, the stadium was terrified.
- 68th Minute: Disaster for Miami. Marcelo Weigandt, under pressure from a Pereyra corner, accidentally shoves the ball into his own net. 3-1.
- 70th Minute: Robin Lod ends the conversation. A curling strike from distance. 4-1. Game over.
Why David Beckham Got Mad
The aftermath was almost better than the game. Minnesota United’s social media team decided to lean into the chaos. They posted a graphic calling Miami the "Pink Phony Club," a play on a popular Chappell Roan song.
David Beckham didn't find it funny.
The legend himself actually hopped into the comments telling the Loons to "show a little respect" and be "elegant in triumph." It’s rare to see an owner get that rattled by a mid-season social media post, but it showed just how much that 4-1 loss stung the Miami camp. They weren't used to being bullied, especially not by a team that only had 33% possession.
Tactics: Why Miami Struggled (And Still Does)
Javier Mascherano, who was leading Miami at the time, basically admitted they got played. They knew Minnesota was dangerous on the counter and on set pieces, yet they still let it happen.
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Miami often plays with a very "rickety" defense. When they don't have a traditional #9—Luis Suárez missed that specific game with a migraine—Messi has to drop deep to find the ball. When he drops deep, there's nobody for him to pass to in the box. It’s a paradox. You have the best creator in history with no one to create for.
Minnesota, on the other hand, is built for this. Eric Ramsay, the former Manchester United assistant, has turned them into a transition machine. They don't mind suffering. They’ll sit in their own half for 80 minutes if it means they get three clean looks at your goal.
The St. Clair Factor
We also have to talk about Dayne St. Clair. The Canadian keeper has been a wall for Minnesota, though ironically, he ended up signing with Inter Miami in early 2026. That move alone tells you everything you need to know about the respect Miami actually has for that Minnesota roster, despite the social media bickering.
What This Means for Future Matchups
If you're betting on Minnesota United vs. Inter Miami in the future, don't just look at the names on the back of the jerseys.
Miami is always going to be the favorite with the bookmakers because of the "Messi tax." But Minnesota has the blueprint now. You crowd the midfield, you force Messi to play with his back to goal, and you exploit their fullbacks—who love to wander forward and leave huge gaps behind them.
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Key Takeaways for Fans
- Don't ignore the set pieces. Minnesota leads the league in goals generated from throw-ins and corners. If Miami hasn't fixed their zonal marking, they'll get shredded again.
- Watch the "false nine" setup. If Suárez isn't starting, Miami's offense becomes way more predictable.
- The Allianz Field Advantage. It is loud. The grass is fast. It favors the Loons' style of play much more than the humidity of Fort Lauderdale favors Miami's aging stars.
The rivalry is weirdly lopsided. Before the 4-1 blowout, they had only met once in 2022, where Miami won 2-1. But the vibe has changed. It's no longer a "celebrity appearance" when Miami comes to town; it's a grudge match.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury reports regarding Miami's aging core. At their age, a three-game week usually means someone is sitting out, and as we saw with the Suárez migraine, one missing piece can make the whole "Galactico" experiment crumble against a disciplined, hungry side like Minnesota.
Keep your eyes on the standings as we head into the next window. Minnesota has proven they aren't just a "small market" team happy to be there—they’re a team that knows exactly how to make superstars look very, very human.
Next Steps for You:
Check the official MLS schedule to see when the next fixture is set. If it's at Allianz Field, get your tickets early, but maybe leave the pink jersey at home if you don't want to get roasted by the Wonderwall. Also, keep an eye on the transfer portal; with St. Clair now in Miami, the dynamic between these two clubs is only getting more complicated.