CF stands for center forward and is a position in soccer or football. Inter Miami is a new Major League Soccer (MLS) club that started playing in 2020. So a CF in Inter Miami refers to the center forward position on Inter Miami’s team.
The center forward is traditionally the main striker on a soccer team and their key role is to score goals. The CF is positioned centrally in the attack and often spearheads the offense. Top teams usually have prolific goal scorers playing this position.
Some key responsibilities and traits of a good CF are:
- Scoring goals and getting into good positions in the box
- Holding up the ball and bringing others into play
- Good finishing with both feet and head
- Strong and good in the air
- Quick, agile, and mobile
- Good movement and finding space in the box
- Clinical and composed in front of goal
- Strong work ethic and commitment to the team
The CF typically wears the number 9 jersey and some all-time greats in this position include Ronaldo, Messi, Lewandowski, and Ibrahimovic among others.
Brief History of Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami CF is one of the newest clubs in Major League Soccer having started playing in 2020. The team is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and co-owned by David Beckham and Marcelo Claure. Here is a brief history so far:
- January 2018 – Team formally announced by MLS and Beckham.
- March 2018 – Miami Freedom Park proposed as potential stadium site.
- September 2018 – First renderings of proposed Freedom Park stadium released.
- March 2019 – Temporary home confirmed as Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
- July 2019 – First 2 players signed in Matuidi and Pizarro.
- August 2019 – First ever game played against PSG as part of preseason.
- February 2020 – Inaugural home opener at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
- October 2020 – Gonzalo Higuain signed as first Designated Player.
- November 2020 – Inter Miami makes playoffs in inaugural MLS season.
So Inter Miami is still a new club establishing itself in MLS and looking for its first major trophy. Hiring a top caliber striker has been a priority.
Inter Miami’s Search for a Starting CF
As a new expansion club, Inter Miami has been building its roster from scratch and recruiting talent all over. However, finding a consistent scorer to lead the line has been an ongoing quest. So far the team has relied on a pair of veteran stars in Gonzalo Higuain and Rodolfo Pizarro to interchangeably fill the CF role. However, neither has fully stamped their authority at center forward. Here is a brief overview of how the CF position has evolved for Inter Miami:
- 2020 – Rodolfo Pizarro and Juan Agudelo shared time at CF in debut season.
- 2021 – Gonzalo Higuain signed as DP and lead striker. Scored 12 goals.
- 2022 – Higuain remains first-choice CF but production dropping off. Pizarro also plays centrally at times. Reinforcements being sought.
It is clear that upgrading at CF is a top priority. The team needs a younger and more dynamic goal scorer who can spearhead the Inter Miami attack for years to come.
Julian Carranza
One internal CF option has been 22-year old Julian Carranza who was signed as a young designated player in 2020. Carranza has shown glimpses of promise but has not fully established himself as a starter yet. In 2022, he scored 2 goals in just over 500 minutes.
Gonzalo Higuain
Club record signing Gonzalo Higuain was brought in as Inter Miami’s star center forward in 2020. While he had an excellent debut season scoring 12 goals, the 34-year old’s production fell off in 2022. In 2022, he managed just 8 goals in 32 appearances in MLS play.
Rodolfo Pizarro
Mexican midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro is very technically gifted and has been used centrally at times by Inter Miami. However, he excels more creating chances and tends to drop deep leaving questions about his ability to consistently lead the line. In 2022, Pizarro scored just 1 goal in MLS play for Inter Miami.
Potential Transfer Targets at CF for Inter Miami
With Higuain aging and Carranza still unproven, Inter Miami figures to be in the market for a new starting-caliber CF in 2023. The club has been linked with several younger forward talents. Here are some of the recent transfer rumors:
Alexis Vega
Alexis Vega currently plays for Chivas in Liga MX. He is a 24-year-old Mexican international. Vega is pacey, energetic, and clinical in front of goal. In 2022, he scored 13 goals in just over 2000 minutes across all competitions. Vega could bring dynamism and tenacity up front for Inter Miami.
Jonathan David
Canadian striker Jonathan David lights up Ligue 1 in France with his goal-scoring exploits for Lille. Just 23 years old, David is seen as one of the top young strikers in Europe. He scored 15 league goals in 2022 and could make the jump to MLS soon. However, his price tag may be too high for Inter Miami.
Raul De Tomas
Spanish striker Raul De Tomas has fallen down the pecking order at club Espanyol after a stellar 2019-2020 season. With his playing time decreasing, the 27-year-old could be open to a new challenge. De Tomas is strong in the air and a clinical finisher capable of scoring 20+ goals a season.
Cyle Larin
Cyle Larin is a 27-year-old Canadian international who plays for Club Brugge in Belgium. With Victor Wanyama’s Designated Player contract expiring, Inter Miami could look to reunite Larin with his former Montreal manager Phil Neville. Larin scored 43 goals in three MLS seasons from 2015 to 2018.
Name | Age | Nationality | Current Club | 2022 Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alexis Vega | 24 | Mexico | Chivas (Liga MX) | 13 goals in 31 apps |
Jonathan David | 23 | Canada | Lille (Ligue 1) | 15 goals in 38 apps |
Raul De Tomas | 27 | Spain | Espanyol (La Liga) | 6 goals in 36 apps |
Cyle Larin | 27 | Canada | Club Brugge (Belgian Pro League) | 9 goals in 36 apps |
What System Best Fits Inter Miami’s Roster?
Inter Miami’s current roster appears better suited for a 4-2-3-1 system rather than playing with two pure strikers up front. Gonzalo Higuain lacks the mobility at this stage of his career to play as a lone forward. And players like Pizarro are more natural playing underneath the striker.
A 4-2-3-1 formation would allow Pizarro or another creative midfielder to function centrally as an attacking midfielder. Two defensive midfielders can provide a solid base in the center of the park. And width can come from true wingers or wingbacks.
Up front, a younger mobile striker would be ideal to stretch defenses and get on the end of chances. While Higuain could still contribute his finishing instincts coming off the bench when needed.
Inter Miami may also opt for a 4-3-3 system with a fluid front three and two “8s” in midfield supporting the lone striker. But there is a lack of true wingers on the current team to properly facilitate this approach.
Regardless of formation, the key is to find that reliable 20-goal a season striker who can consistently put away chances for Inter Miami in 2023 and beyond.
Conclusion
Inter Miami has struggled to find consistency at the vital center forward position in its first few MLS seasons. Club icon Gonzalo Higuain was supposed to be the answer but his age has caught up at 34. Meanwhile, Rodolfo Pizarro is better suited for an attacking midfield role rather than spearheading the attack.
As such, Inter Miami appears likely to try to recruit a new striker in his prime capable of scoring 20+ goals a season in MLS. Several younger options like Alexis Vega and Jonathan David have been rumored. However, finding the budget for a blockbuster transfer could be challenging.
Regardless, upgrading at CF and finding their number 9 of the future is arguably the top priority right now for Inter Miami’s management. The team’s tactical shape could shift to better suit a new striker signing as well. Time will tell if Inter Miami can finally land an elite goal-scoring CF to lead the line and help transform the attack in 2023.