Javier Mascherano admitted that Inter Miami was beaten by a better side after they had left the Concacaf Champions Cup with a 5-1 total defeat against the Witecaps of Vancouver.
Lionel Messi and the company had to set up an exciting fightback in the second stage of their semi-final tie, which last week went down with a 2-0 score in the first stage on BC Place.
Although Jordi Alba gave them hope with a ride on the ninth minute after good work by Messi and Luis Suarez, Vancouver improved in the second half to dash the hope for a comeback.
Brian White sent his finish for six minutes in the second period to the top right corner, and only two minutes later Pedro Vite's deeply bent over Oscar Ustari ran to make the score 4-1.
The draw was more than 19 minutes from time when Sebastian Berhalter – who had helped both goals – shot home on the volley after a scramble in the Miami area.
Vancouver will now be confronted with Cruz Azul or Tigres-Die currently locked up at 1-1 in the final at 1-1 after one part of their semi-final.
And Miami, who saw Messi score for a fourth consecutive game, will be left to concentrate on their MLS campaign.
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“It hurts because we wanted to reach the final. That would have placed the club in a very important position. Yet we have to accept that they were better,” said Mascherano.
“We know that Inter Miami has won the League Cup, but the most important tournament in the region is the Concacaf Champions Cup.
“But sometimes you have to accept that the opponent is further on the hierarchy and surpassed us. They have surpassed us.
“We stay further and further in this tournament, so that is a comfort, although it doesn't mean much today. We will look ahead.”
Miami previously made the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup last season and lost 6-4 to Total against Mexican Giants Monterrey.
The herons will also play in the opening match of the club World Cup – against Al Ahly van Egypt – on 14 June, with Palmeiras and Porto their other group A opponents.
But Mascherano has not thought so far ahead and said: “We must now continue to concentrate on MLS. I don't think ahead of the Club World Cup because we are a month and a half away.
“Now it's time to concentrate on MLS. We've been competing for two and a half months in two games, and we've done well.”