Franco Negri out for rest of season with knee injury

Inter Miami's terrible season has only gotten worse with left-back Franco Negri set to miss the rest of the 2023 season due to a left ACL tear; Lionel Messi and Co. can't arrive in South Florida soon enough.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury in the 38th minute during Miami's 4-1 defeat to Philadelphia Union this past weekend. Negri joined the Eastern Conference team this past winter having previously played for Argentinian side Godoy Cruz. In 2023, Negri made 20 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice for the Herons.

Longtime Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has been rumored to join Messi and Sergio Busquets in Miami as he's now a free agent. The 34-year-old would provide the Herons with plenty of experience and cover in the full-back department and would link up well with Messi and Busquets.

If Alba were to join Miami, he'd have to wait until MLS' secondary transfer window which runs from July 5 - August 2, when his former Barcelona compatriots will join the club officially.

Miami could also turn to a left-back that is already in their squad, Noah Allen. The 19-year-old is a Homegrown player and has made four appearances in 2023. Another name interim head coach Javier Morales could turn to is Christopher McVey, who usually plays as a center-back but is capable of playing at left-back.

Inter Miami will aim to get back in the win column when they face Austin FC at home on July 1. The two sides have met just once before, with Austin triumphing 5-1 back in March of 2022.