EXCLUSIVE: Former Inter Miami defender Brek Shea is concerned about the team's form, especially at home ahead of the MLS playoffs, as the rampant Philadelphia Union continue to climb

Before a pair of consecutive victories, Inter Miami entered the stretch run of the 2026 MLS campaign with just one win in 10 matches.

By no fault of Lionel Messi — he has goal involvements in 11 straight contests — Miami lost any hope of the Eastern Conference top spot (Nashville is running away with the Supporters' Shield). The two recent wins have vaulted Miami back into the second spot.

Meanwhile, the rampant Philadelphia Union — powered by 17-year-old MVP candidate Cavan Sullivan — are up to sixth in the East after sitting dead last as recently as July.

Former USMNT international and Inter Miami player Brek Shea spoke exclusively with Mirror U.S. Sports and shared that he thinks Miami might be "feeling the pressure" ahead of the playoffs. Shea also highlighted a pair of Miami youngsters who have blossomed into useful MLS pros.

" I do think they are [feeling the pressure]," Shea told Mirror US on behalf of the Jackpot City Casino. " I think four points out of the last nine home games or something like that? And the MLS is so big; at home you have an advantage because you're flying some games- six-hour flights. You have to take your home games, and because the travel is so immense."

Shea, who played 34 times for the USMNT and 47 times for Inter Miami between 2020 and 2022, emphasized the importance of momentum before the MLS playoffs. 2022 was the only MLS Cup Final (LAFC vs. Philadelphia) to feature each conference's No. 1 seeds.

Seven of the last eight MLS Cup Finals have featured a No. 3 seed — including the three-seeded 2025 Inter Miami side — or worse. In 2024, the No. 7 New York Red Bulls were minutes away from an MLS Cup win.

"Obviously, the seeding matters in American sports, but if you're playing well and you're fit and you're ready going into the playoffs, that team is the most dangerous team," Shea said.

"You just have to be flying going into the playoffs, and then that team is the most dangerous team. You’ve just gotta be clicking on all cylinders right before the playoffs."

This theory bodes well for the Union, who have won 12 of 14 games and eight straight since the World Cup break, a period they entered dead last in the Eastern Conference.

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None of the 11 players in Inter Miami's XI against NYCFC came through the team's academy. But the Herons still have a pair of young talents under contract who did star in the academy: Ian Frey and Noah Allen.

"Ian Frey is an exceptional player and works his butt off. He's very skillful and fast, and I'm very happy for them. They were both 17 when I was there, and to see them playing is [amazing," Frey said.

Frey has 18 starts in multiple positions across the Miami backline, while Allen has 12 (he has four more since he was sent on loan to Chicago in early September).

Noah was a left back when I was there; he would sit behind me if I was playing left back. But he became successful when Messi was there as a center back," Shea added.

"For them to be able to transition into that role and still be playing on a team with Messi, where they're buying players left and right to fill in these gaps, is a credit to them."