Inter Miami CF extended their undefeated record to ten games in their first home Major League Soccer game since Lionel Messi’s arrival, but were kept scoreless and squandered two critical points in a 0-0 draw with Nashville SC.
Messi finally had a bad night by his standards, failing to score or assist for the first time in his Inter Miami career. However, he led all players in shooting with seven and had a great opportunity to win the game with only seconds remaining, but Nashville goalie Elliot Panicco held strong to stop Messi’s attempt made with his weaker right foot.
The Argentina international has played nine games for Miami since entering MLS in July, and all nine had resulted in victories – six through play and three via penalty shootouts in League Cup, U.S. Open Cup, and MLS matchups.
However, Messi’s magical left foot failed to create a crucial play on Wednesday, and Miami squandered points in its long-shot bid to make the MLS playoffs. It was the first time since Messi’s arrival that Miami had been kept scoreless.
With Nashville designated players Walker Zimmerman and Sam Surridge missing the trip, and third DP Hany Mukhtar only playing 45 minutes, it was evident from the start that their game strategy was to keep as many men as possible behind the ball.
All evening, the Miami players and coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino were annoyed by this technique.
“When you put that many players in the opponent’s box, of course you’ll keep a clean sheet,” Martino remarked after the game, lamenting his lack of time to work with his team due to the rushed schedule he’s had since taking over.
“I’ve been with the team for two months, but I’ve only worked with the team for 50-52 days.” We still haven’t worked with them for a whole week. We haven’t had enough time to practise and truly establish this group since we’ve been playing every four days.”
Messi and former Barcelona colleague Sergio Busquets began the game Wednesday after entering Miami’s last encounter against the New York Red Bulls in the 60th minute.
Miami had no attempts on goal in the opening 60 minutes as it tried to get past Nashville’s defence, which was ranked seventh.
Messi tried a free kick in the 60th minute after earning a foul on Nashville’s Dax McCarty, but Panicco saved the ball to the bottom-left corner.
Nonetheless, Inter Miami supporters rushed out their phones to capture the free kick in case the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner scored another goal similar to the one he scored on his debut, when he struck in the 94th minute to give Miami a victory against Mexican Club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opening.
In the 69th minute, Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar had a goal ruled out for offside.
Messi had another opportunity in the 83rd minute, but his effort deflected off the defensive wall.
The draw puts Miami on 22 points with 10 games remaining, 10 points behind the Chicago Fire for the last playoff position. Messi and his teammates will head to BMO Stadium this weekend to face reigning MLS Cup winners LAFC on Sunday.
Following that game, Miami will have their longest layoff in almost a month, as they will not play again until Saturday, September 9th, at home against a struggling Sporting Kansas City team.
Unfortunately for Miami, Messi and up to ten other players will be unavailable due to international call-ups for that game.
Inter Miami displayed their freshly acquired Leagues Cup trophy to their home supporters before to Wednesday’s draw. Before Messi and former captain DeAndre Yedlin hoisted the cup to all four sides of the DRV PNK, co-owner Jorge Mas had some things to say about his team winning their first championship.
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