Speid: We can always do better
Published:Saturday | March 15, 2025 | 12:08 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Following his team’s elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 at the hands of Inter Miami on Thursday, Cavalier’s sporting director Rudolph Speid is optimistic about the club’s future in international competitions.
Cavalier fell to a 4-0 aggregate loss after being defeated 2-0 by Inter Miami at the National Stadium in the return leg.
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored the goals for Inter Miami with Suarez giving the visitors the lead from the penalty spot in the 37th minute before Messi sealed the win in time added.
Speaking in his post-match interview, Speid commended his team for their performance across both legs despite the result.
He believed they showed their quality against one of the top teams in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
“This is nothing to be ashamed of after being beaten 4-0 by this team over two legs. They have everything going for them and I think this was a credible performance from Cavalier,” Speid said.
“We can always do something better. I think we played fairly well and I think it was just the two mistakes cost us the goals. That is what happens when you play against top teams, it is who makes the more mistakes that probably lose,” he continued.
“Inter Miami didn’t really break us down. I mean they got behind us at times and got one-on-one shots at the goalkeeper but in terms of defending, it was probably just the last kick of the match when we conceded the second goal after we tried to equalise.”
The defeat marked Cavalier’s second consecutive elimination from the Champions Cup at the hands of an MLS team, following their 6-0 aggregate defeat to FC Cincinnati last campaign.
Speid said in comparison to last year’s performance, his players were far more organised this time around and believes, should they return to the Champions Cup next year, will continue to improve.
“We did improve from last year. Last year we weren’t really competing and were just trying to survive. As you can see this year, we were on even terms for a lot of the game and I think by next year, we can get even better,” he said.
“I think Cavalier have moved into the ranks of being an international club. This organisation, to host a game in a sold-out stadium, I think overall we did well.”
RAISING THE BAR
Speid also said he believes the match against Inter Miami will also inspire other players and clubs to aim towards loftier ambitions.
He said having seen the impact that Messi’s visit to the island caused in Jamaica, he will not be surprised if more Jamaica clubs work towards qualifying for international competitions.
“It is something good and it had never been done before for a player of this magnitude to come to Jamaica or an MLS team that is so financially viable, you know they have the biggest payroll in the MLS,” Speid said.
“The truth is, everybody will want to emulate something like this and I can see the rest of the Premier League clubs saying, ‘That’s where I want to be’, so I think that’s a good thing.”