MLS is finally cracking down on Inter Miami’s tendency to keep their opponents waiting on the field before kickoff. The league announced Thursday that the team’s interim head coach, Guillermo Hoyos, has been suspended one game for “repeated violations of the League's Late Kickoff Policy.”
Hoyos and the team were also both fined an undisclosed amount for repeatedly violating the policy, will dictates that teams be on the field at the time that kickoff is scheduled in the first and second half of every game. Per the league, both clubs and coaches can be given escalating fined and eventually a suspension for repeat behavior.
Miami has arrived late to kickoffs for weeks, including last week’s game against Toronto FC and a match against Nashville SC on Aug. 15. In both instances, Inter Miami left the opposing team waiting for several minutes on the field before finally emerging from the locker room.
Like they did in the first half, Miami taking their sweet time to get out on the field. Nashville players out, the countdown clock is well past expired, and the crowd is booing.
I get they have names and all that, but it’s pretty lame. pic.twitter.com/7edPUXewHm
And once again, Inter Miami comes out of halftime and onto the field after its opponent.
Toronto FC stood around for a few moments before the South Florida side presented itself in yet the latest example of this trend from the Herons. #InterMiamiCF#Messipic.twitter.com/lz04wMEzw4
Though the move is theoretically used as a tactic to try and put opponents off their game, it didn’t quite seem to work: Miami lost 4-1 to Nashville and 2-1 to Toronto, with five of goals in total allowed early in the second half.
Hoyos’ suspension will be served this Saturday, as Miami hosts CF Montréal.
But there’s an added wrinkle: The news of Hoyos’ suspension came at the same time as reports of Miami finally hiring a new head coach. Multiple reports on Thursday indicate that Argentinian coach Cristian “Kily” González has agreed to become Inter Miami’s new permanent head coach, taking the reigns of Lionel Messi and Co. from Hoyos.
Miami is reportedly set to make an announcement about the hire on Friday, though it’s unclear if González will be available to take over the team on Saturday with Hoyos suspended. It’s also unclear if the two events are related, or if it’s simply coincidence.
If everything proceeds as reported, González will become Miami’s third coach this season, after Javier Mascherano stepped down unexpectedly in April. He will also become the club’s fourth Argentinian manager since Messi joined the squad in 2023.
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