Last season, Miami fell victim to a first-round playoff exit despite being the No. 1 seed and Supporters' Shield winners. With Miami's stars only getting older and not many elite young talents supporting them, another early exit could be on the horizon come postseason time.

Inter Miami must win by three goals in regulation to advance to the June 1 Champions Cup final, where a $5 million prize is on the line.

Just steps away from Inter Miami CF’s stadium in Fort Lauderdale sits a small airport. Yet, on the pitch on Wednesday, Lionel Messi’s Herons saw their dreams of hoisting a Concacaf Champions Cup trophy take off into the night sky.