Bright ready to fight for spot under new Miami boss

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright insisted he is ready to fight for a starting spot in the squad under their new head coach.

Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez was named the Herons’ new boss, taking over from interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos.

Gonzalez will not take charge until he receives the necessary work permits, with Hoyos at the helm for Miami’s thrashing of CF Montreal last time out.

Lionel Messi scored four goals and provided one assist as Miami won 7-1 against Montreal, with Luis Suarez, Casemiro and Alexander Shaw also getting on the scoresheet.

In the victory, Bright recorded the most touches (98), completed passes (78), duels contested (13), interceptions (two) and possessions won (seven – level with Rodrigo De Paul) of any Miami player.

The result saw Miami end a five-game winless run across all competitions (D1 L4), and Bright is determined to build on the big win when the Herons host Atlanta United this Saturday.

“We’re looking to keep the momentum going into the next game, staying as focused as we were in the last one,” said Bright.

“I feel good. It’s good to feel the trust from the coaching staff and everything. Obviously, with the new coach it is going to be a little different; I have to work again to gain their trust and regain my spot.

“But I’m ready. I have had a lot of years where I have had to fight for my spot, so this is going to be no different.”

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 2, 2026

While Miami sit second in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta are 13th after a poor run of form either side of the World Cup break.

The Five Stripes did manage to string together a three-game winning run, though that was snapped last time out against Charlotte FC, who won 2-0.

Miami’s 7-1 win over Montreal on Saturday was the 18th time Messi’s team has scored seven or more goals in a match (club and country).

Messi has been directly involved in 65 goals in those matches (45 goals, 20 assists), including five of the seven against Montreal on Saturday (four goals, one assist).

Atlanta United – Aleksey Miranchuk

Aleksey Miranchuk has recorded an assist in each of his last three regular-season away matches, the second-longest run in Atlanta’s history (Miguel Almiron – four straight in 2018).

The only player to record an assist in four straight away league matches in MLS this year is Messi (May-August).

Miami scored a club-record seven goals in their win over Montreal, ending a five-match winless run in the process.

Since Messi’s arrival in MLS in summer 2023, the Herons have scored five or more goals in nine regular-season matches, more than twice as many as any other team in that time.

Atlanta, meanwhile, won their last away match 2-1 at Minnesota United and are looking for two straight regular-season road wins for the first time since May-June 2024.

The Five Stripes have defeated Miami three times in matches in which Messi has appeared, more than any other MLS team in all competitions. The only team to defeat Messi in three or more away matches in all competitions is Real Madrid (five).

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