TOP Takeaways from Cavalier vs Inter Miami

Today we take a look at the biggest talking points from the Cavalier vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup showdown at the National Stadium on Thursday. One. At 37-year-old – a geriatric by international football standards, Argentinian star Lionel Messi might not be anywhere close to his prime, but his movement, passing and ability to break lines and attack spaces are still at the highest level. Every pass he made was precise, every dribble was efficient and purposeful, he simply remains a joy ...

Today we take a look at the biggest talking points from the Cavalier vs Inter Miami Concacaf Champions Cup showdown at the National Stadium on Thursday.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (left) controls the ball as Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin looks on during the Concacaf Champions Cup second-leg round of 16 match at the National Stadium on Thursday. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

One.

At 37-year-old – a geriatric by international football standards, Argentinian star Lionel Messi might not be anywhere close to his prime, but his movement, passing and ability to break lines and attack spaces are still at the highest level. Every pass he made was precise, every dribble was efficient and purposeful, he simply remains a joy to watch.

Two.

You know what, Cavalier’s impressive performance against what is one of the MLS’ best teams indicate that the top level of the Jamaica Premier League is not THAT far off from one of the region’s top leagues. The Cavalier players matched up to their MLS counterparts in many respects and with some better luck and execution, they could have had better results. There is hope.

Luis Suárez #9 of Inter Miami CF runs with the ball under pressure from Richard King of Cavalier FC during the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 First Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Cavalier FC at Chase Stadium on March 06, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo: AFP)

Three.

Richard King is ready for a bigger league. The Cavalier defender and captain was quite impressive in the two matches against Inter Miami. Sure-footed, composed and confident, the 23-year-old is at the right level and age for a significant move away from the Jamaica Premier League. Honestly, King would not look out of place in this Inter Miami team and I would be surprised if several clubs from the MLS and elsewhere are not already looking to add his talents to their roster next season.

Four.

The sooner we can drive a wrecking ball through the National Stadium, the better for us. The facility presents many logistical headaches and is woefully inadequate for international events and we surely hope that the many promises of a new stadium will come to fruition soon enough.

Five.

The security execution of the match was a major failure. Thankfully, there were no major incidents, but that was hardly due to any seamless execution of security plans. A good portion of fans inside the Grandstand did not even have Grandstand tickets plus people in that section were sitting wherever they desired with no ushers in place to ensure VVIP, VIP and regular Grandstand ticket holders were seated in the correct areas.

Rudolph Speid

Six.

Rudolph Speid should be given more respect for his coaching ability. Sure, he’s a controversial figure at times but he has shown over the years to be a consistently high-performing tactician and the performance of his inexperienced team in the local league, the Caribbean Championships and against an Inter Miami team stacked with World Cup and Champions-League winning talent must not be overlooked.

Seven.

Cavalier as a club is well set financially. They say it takes cash to care and Cavalier can certainly do a lot of caring these days after those two Inter Miami games. Between the Concacaf payout, gate receipts and sponsorship funds, the Cavalier coffers must be overflowing these days.

Eight.

Did anyone actually hear a word from the public address system? The organisers must have scavenged the sound system components from Riverton because the entire PA system certainly belonged in a dump!

Fans cheer Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi at the Concacaf Champions Cup match between Cavalier FC and Inter Miami. at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Photo: Rahyme Mckenzie)

Nine.

Cavalier did get decent support during the match but it was a bit of a surprise to see so many people cheering against them. We certainly understand the adoration reserved for Lionel Messi, but surely the little Jamaican team that brought him here and that were putting up an almighty fight deserved greater support.

Ten.

Big-spending Mount Pleasant and the other Jamaica Premier League teams must have felt some envy and I’m sure will be going all out to take their season to this level in the hopes of similar successes.