'Thinking long-term in this job is a mistake' – Javier Mascherano not looking past this season, with first-year head coach non-committal on his Inter Miami future

The Argentine manager has led Inter Miami to 17 wins in 31 matches, with the Herons in fifth place in the Eastern Conference

• Miami play at FC Cincinnati on Wednesday
• Messi has never scored against Cincinnati
• Fifth place in the East, Messi eyes another brace

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Between April and May, Javier Mascherano went through the most difficult stretch in his first season as Inter Miami head coach, managing just one win over an eight-game span. His future with the Herons was questioned multiple times during that turbulent period, and his position seemed far from secure.

  Despite the pressure, Mascherano led the team to a solid performance at the Club World Cup – ultimately falling in the Round of 16 – and since, Miami has bounced back in impressive fashion, with Lionel Messi scoring braces in five consecutive MLS matches.

  Miami has won all five of those games, including three since returning from international competition. They are fifth in the Eastern Conference in MLS. Still, the Argentine manager insists he’s not thinking beyond this season

  “Personally, as a coach, I don’t look much further than the current season," he said on Tuesday. "Thinking long-term in this job is a mistake because results are what keep you here. You have to stay focused and put all your energy into the present."

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  WHAT MASCHERANO SAID

  Mascherano joked on Tuesday about Messi’s goal drought against FC Cincinnati – the only MLS team he has yet to score against – and said it would likely serve as extra fuel for his star forward.

  “It’s great news, actually… because we all know Leo – every match gives him a new reason to be motivated,” Mascherano said. “Hopefully he can break that streak."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  David Martínez has officially played his final match for the Herons. Mascherano confirmed that the club has opted not to extend the Paraguayan's loan from River Plate.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

  Inter Miami visit Cincinnati Wednesday, but they’ll have to do it without Baltasar Rodríguez, who is sidelined once again due to a recurring hamstring injury. There is positive news on the injury front, though: Yannick Bright, Gonzalo Luján, and David Ruiz have all recovered and are back in contention.