Luis Suarez has joined Lionel Messi in MLS but the Herons have failed to score in their two friendlies so far

Let's make one thing clear: we aren't going to worry about Inter Miami just yet. This isn't a crisis or a problem that anyone should be too worried about. There's a long season ahead and four trophies to compete for and, more than likely, Inter Miami will be just fine.

It has to be said, though, that the club's preseason is off to a nightmare start. Their worldwide globe-trotting adventure has started slower than anyone would have really imagined. The Herons have failed to score against both the El Salvador national team and FC Dallas in their first two preseason fixtures, never quite showing signs of being the juggernaut that many expect them to be.

Those expectations remain justified. This team has Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in the starting XI, for goodness' sake. On talent and experience, there are absolutely zero teams in MLS that can go toe-to-toe with that foursome.

In these first two preseason games, we just haven't quite seen that, though. It's a slow start, and also one that could have a lasting impact on this team for a variety of reasons.

Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowGettyA less-than-ideal beginning

The game was in El Salvador and featured the country's national team, but there was no mistaking who the crowd was there to see. "Messi! Messi! Messi!" rang out throughout Estadio Cuscatlan and likely all through San Salvador. On that night, the national team could take a backseat; the people of El Salvador were there to see Messi put on a show.

That show, though, didn't feel like the type of theatrical performance we've gotten so used to over the years. It felt like a show that never quite got going, that couldn't overcome the early-season rust that surely held it back.

Because of that rust, which set in over a long MLS offseason that lasted months, you can partially excuse that 0-0 draw with El Salvador. It happens, particularly at this time of year. Messi, Suarez & Co. need to find their sea legs after extended time off.

The 1-0 loss to FC Dallas, though, was a bit more concerning. Facing an MLS opponent, the game felt a bit more real. FC Dallas came to play, with Jesus Ferreira scoring an early goal to ensure the hosts would never look back. Miami dominated stretches but never broke through. Their big world tour got off to a 0-1-1 start with zero goals through their first two stops.

Funnily enough, it was the defense that many pegged to be Inter Miami's Achilles' heel. The signing of Nicolas Freire has helped ease some of the concerns about the centerback position, but it still remains to be seen what that unit will look like once the season gets going.

Right now, though, the worries – and they are preliminary – are about the attack, which just hasn't quite looked sharp enough through this first and second impression.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesStar-studded attack goes quiet

Throughout the two games, there have been a few signs of that old connection. Fans of this sport will remember it well. It often went from Messi to Suarez and then directly into the back of the net, leaving defenders helpless to stop it.

We've seen the first two legs of that combination so far, but we haven't seen that end result. Messi's held up his bargain but, through just over two halves of soccer, Suarez hasn't quite gotten his part right.

Neither has anyone else, to be fair. The Inter Inter Miami team is scoreless. That includes Messi, who went close with an Olimpico against FC Dallas and has had a few good looks, but none definitive.

Inter Miami amassed just six shots against El Salvador, despite having 67 percent possession and over 600 passes. They fired eight shots against FC Dallas despite 69% possession and 768 passes. Stylistically, Inter Miami are dominating the ball, but they just aren't quite doing enough with it.

"If there is any concern, it is about scoring goals," Tata Martino said, "but we are looking for team strength that, little by little, I think we are going to find. We are looking for fine-tuning. We have other objectives that go beyond the result… We still need to speed up a little more to truly be competitive."

As Martino said, Miami will get there. The combination of Messi and Suarez is simply too good not to succeed. Still, there are concerns over how much that duo will play together as we head into this new season.

GettyThe status of Suarez

Thus far, Suarez has looked relatively good. The finishing hasn't been there, but there are signs that he still has plenty left to offer once that fine-tuning comes. This is a player fresh off a 29-goal season with Gremio. There is clearly still plenty left in the tank.

Suarez's success will almost certainly depend on health and, because of that, he'll likely have to be managed. He, like Messi, has played just over two halves of soccer so far, but Martino will have to be a bit more careful with him throughout the grueling MLS season.

So far, Suarez hasn't quite looked like the player that dominated in Brazil. There's no reason to worry about that just yet though. They say class is permanent, and we know the caliber of striker Suarez is. The question, though, is how he'll hold up physically.

Less than one year ago, Suarez seemed headed for retirement. His knee was no longer cooperating. According to Gremio president Alberto Guerra, the situation was worse than many understood.

"Luis Suarez is reaching his limit," Guerrea said last year. "To be able to play he is given almost daily injections and special treatments. He feels constant pain."

Suares opened up a bit more on his pain in December, telling : “On the outside of my knee I have tension that remains from surgery in 2020 when I was at Barcelona. In my last stage of recovery, the pandemic came and I had to do exercises on my own and I couldn’t finish stretching my knee. On the inside I have cartilage wear and that hits the bone.

"The days before each game I take three pills and hours before playing I get an injection. If not, I can’t play. Hence the limp. I have to think that in maybe five years I won’t be able to play five-a-side football with my friends. The truth is that the first steps in the morning are very painful. Anyone who sees me thinks that it is impossible for me to play a game. My son asks me to play with him and I can’t.”

Getty ImagesCopa America looms

Thus far, Suarez hasn't shown any signs of that injury. Playing with his friends again no doubt provides a bit of motivation and adrenaline, but the fact is that there's no chance Suarez can be a 40-game player for Inter Miami. Even if Suarez does find his form, Inter Miami can't 100% rely on him to carry the team on his back.

That's particularly true because of Suarez's hopes of playing in the Copa America, a tournament that will also take Messi away for part of the summer.

"Coming to the United States knowing that [the tournament] is being played here this year is another plus. It will depend on my performance on the field,” he said.

"I was there in November on merit, because of good games in the Brazilian league, and it will be the same with how I am physically and at the level of play. I want to let the coach see that I can contribute the minutes he wants. It will be because of my performances and not because of the name I have."

Miami, by and large, is equipped to handle Saurez's absence. Leo Campana is a double-digit MLS goalscorer who should be able to step in and contribute when and if Suarez is out of the team. It's one of Miami's strengths: depth. They have it everywhere.

Well, almost everywhere. A horrific injury has already robbed Miami of a key attacking piece, one that was expected to play a huge part in the coming season.