Free agency just gave Inter Miami a weapon nobody saw coming | OneFootball

Major League Soccer's 'silly season' is officially underway

Inter Miami, the newly crowned champions of Major League Soccer, haven't had long to savor their victory; just four days after the Los Garzas' 3-1 MLS Cup win against the Vancouver Whitecaps the league released its list of 2025 free agents. It's time for the front office, at least, to get back to work.

The Herons may be on top today, but they have holes to fill if they want to become the first team since the 2011-2012 Los Angeles Galaxy to defend its title.

Managing owner Jorge Mas said after the Cup final that the team has verbal commitments from players tabbed to replace legends Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who retired from the game they loved as champions. Luis Suárez, who lost his starting job to youngster Mateo Silvetti late in the season, could decide to follow his friends into retirement or return to Uruguay.

Mas made it clear Suárez has a roster spot if he wants it -- and Tadeo Allende, the breakout star who set a new MLS record for goals scored in the postseason (9), could be recalled or sold by Celta Vigo, which owns his contract.

Additionally, Miami seems perpetually in need of skill, leadership -- and size -- in the backline and should be looking for a proven keeper to challenge 39-year-old Óscar Ustari and 23-year-old Rocco Ríos Novo (Oh, by the way, 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair is among the top talents in free agency).

The best news? Captain and worldwide icon Lionel Messi will be in Pink again in 2026.

Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's teammate on the Argentine national team, is expected to move into the defensive midfield vacancy left by Busquets' retirement -- and his designated player roster spot. That fills two DP slots, leaving fans and content creators speculating who will claim the third.

While most observers expect the ambitious Herons to swing for another big-name European or South American signing, Inter Miami has a tremendous opportunity to sign a valuable MLS veteran with a few more productive years left.

Cristian Espinoza is an ideal fit for Phase 2 of the Messi Project in South Florida.

Why Cristian Espinoza may be Miami's next right wing

Espinoza, who turns 31 in April, has played seven solid seasons for the San Jose Earthquakes, who chose earlier this year not to exercise his contract option.

According to Transfermarkt.com, the Argentinian has 39 goals and 70 assists in all competitions for the 'Quakes.

In November, Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported that Espinoza has had at least eight assists each season in MLS and is San Jose's all-time assists leader with 83).

Perhaps more importantly, according to Bogert, Espinoza had missed just nine of a possible 227 regular season matches -- and he's reportedly open to staying in MLS.

Despite his age, MLSsoccer.com Armchair Analyst Matthew Doyle rates Espinoza among the league's premier targets because of his durability, dependability and passing ability -- those three abilities can add a lot to any roster.

"What I’m saying is he’s not as reliant on his initial burst and acceleration as many other wingers, which means when he’s 33 or 34, he’ll probably still be really good," Doyle wrote.