Bob Poe | May 18, 2026 |
Inter Miami CF II took a brutal hit Monday afternoon at Chase Stadium, falling 5-1 to Crown Legacy FC in a match that looked ugly on the scoreboard — but not without a few reasons for Miami fans to keep paying attention.
Yes, the result hurts. Crown Legacy came into Fort Lauderdale sitting near the top of MLS Next Pro, and they played like it from the opening whistle. Hugo Mbongue got things rolling early, and by halftime Miami II were staring at a crushing 4-0 deficit after goals from Nimfasha Berchimas and a Rodolfo Aloko brace. The visitors pressed hard, moved quickly in transition, and punished nearly every mistake Miami made.
But this is where the story gets interesting for Inter Miami supporters paying close attention to the club’s future.
Even in a difficult season, Inter Miami CF II continues to serve its real purpose: developing players who can eventually make noise for the first team. And one player is starting to force his way into the conversation.
Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida came off the bench in the second half and once again found the back of the net, scoring Miami II’s lone goal in the 81st minute. It marked his seventh goal of the 2026 campaign and his fourth straight match scoring — a remarkable run considering how difficult this season has been for the young Herons.
That matters.
MLS Next Pro is not just about wins and losses. It is about identifying young talent capable of climbing the ladder. While the standings look rough right now — Miami II sits near the bottom with just four points from ten matches — performances like Zeltzer-Zubida’s are exactly why this team exists.
And there were flashes elsewhere too.
Santiago Morales showed moments of creativity before being substituted. Ian Urkidi continued wearing the captain’s armband in midfield. Theo Vorenkamp and Nicholas Almeida had stretches where they battled hard despite constant pressure from one of the league’s best attacking sides.
The final score will dominate headlines, but fans who watched closely saw something else: young players gaining experience against elite competition. Sometimes that process is painful. Sometimes it looks exactly like Monday afternoon.
The important part is what happens next.
Miami II now heads into a Florida derby matchup against Orlando City B looking for its first win of the season. The pressure is growing, but so is the opportunity for young players trying to earn a bigger role within the Inter Miami system.
And if Zeltzer-Zubida keeps scoring at this pace, first-team coaches are eventually going to have to notice.
