'Believe in this team more than ever' - Javier Mascherano takes responsibility for 4-3 loss against Dallas, as Miami rests top players and ends MLS unbeaten streak

Inter Miami sustained their first defeat of the 2025 MLS season, falling 4-3 to FC Dallas at Chase Stadium after wasting a 3-1 lead. With the result, the team now sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 18 points.

Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez all watched from the sidelines Sunday. Manager Javier Mascherano elected to leave his Catalan quartet out, with an eye on a CONCACAF Champions Cup tie midweek. The Herons took a two-goal lead, then collapsed late as they fell from the ranks of the undefeated in the league.

Mascherano took full responsibility for the loss.

"It’s not easy," he said after the match. "We played a very good game for 65 minutes and managed to come back, but unfortunately, I made a mistake in reading the match, and in the end, I couldn’t help the players. I made some decisions that weren’t right."

Inter Miami must quickly shift focus as they prepare to host the Vancouver Whitecaps Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions Cup semifinals. The challenge is significant: they enter the match trailing 2-0 on aggregate.

Mascherano remains optimistic despite the uphill battle.

"There’s everything to gain and nothing to lose," he said. "From the first minute, we need to play to win. Without our style of play, it's hard to get results. We need to score at least two goals, release the pressure, and focus on what we can control.

"We must find that first goal - not rush it, not get desperate. If we get it, we’ll have a real chance."

"I believe in this team more than ever," he said. "We have to come with the hope and belief that we can turn this around. If we get the first goal, I truly believe we have a strong chance."

Mascherano's team must bounce back from Sunday's loss, as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions Cup semifinals, where they trail 2-0 on aggregate.