Miami had everything in place to finish 2024: Messi, a stellar squad and the platform of an exemplary regular season which no other club matched. The stars were aligning. Maybe it felt too easy.

Miami were expected to go the distance and win MLS Cup this season with stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Alba in the squad. However, the Supporters' Shield winners, who also ...