Chase Stadium – On a gorgeous night for football Inter Miami played beautifully to defeat Nashville SC 3-1. The Dynamic duo of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored a goal each in the first half with Robert Taylor scoring Miami’s third goal in the second period. Sam Surridge tapped in Nashville’s lone goal in stoppage time. The victory allows Miami to move on to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament.
Starting XI
The Herons lined up in a 5-3-2 formation, with Jordi Alba, Nicolas Freire, Sergeii Kryvtsov, Tomas Aviles, and Julian Gressel forming the back five. Diego Gomez, Sergio Busquet, and Federico Redondo formed the potent midfield. Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi formed the legendary attack.
Match Action
Inter Miami came out flying out the gates with a high press on Nashville, swarming to prevent the Boys in Gold from having time to think. Miami’s early energy paid off with an early Luis Suarez goal in the 8th minute from a Lionel Messi assist.
The dynamic duo, #Messi𓃵 to Suarez for the early lead for #InterMiamiCF
Suarez continues to do what he does best, score goals#ConcaChampions #MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 14, 2024
The Herons continued to push forward defensively and once they had possession they looked to strike quickly. Lionel Messi blasted a beauty for Miami’s second goal in the 23rd minute after Diego Gomez made a powerful run into the box and laid off the pass for Lionel to finish. Inter Miami went into halftime with a dominant 2-0 advantage.
Diego Gómez makes a run into the box 📦 & lays it off for #Messi𓃵 who buries it into the Nashville net 2-0 #InterMiamiCF #MLS #ConcaChampions
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 14, 2024
Nashville tried to respond early in the second half with persistent surges forward but Drake Callender made some outstanding saves, including a close-range block off a corner kick.
Drake Callender. Big time. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/GgtGMJaVas
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 14, 2024
Despite Nashville’s best efforts, Miami got on the scoreboard again with a Robert Taylor well-placed header off a Luis Suarez picture-perfect cross into the box. The Herons led 3-0.
Robert Taylor with the wonderfully placed header off a Luis Suarez cross 3-0 #InterMiamiCF leads
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 14, 2024
The Boys in Gold scored the goal of honor in stoppage time via Sam Surridge. It was too little too late as Miami advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win at home after a 2-2 draw in Nashville.
Surridge scores the Nashville goal of honor after a Hany service 3-1 #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 14, 2024
Postgame Press Conference
A major difference between the first match in Nashville and Miami’s dominant effort at home was the defensive solidity displayed by the Inter-Miami backline, Tata Martino commented on the defensive effort,
I think that we were organized defensively in the first half. I think it’s something we did well,” said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
The line of five led by Sergeii Kryvtsov played one of its better matches. If Inter Miami can somehow figure out how to play solid defense game in and game out, they will be a tough team to beat.
Final Thoughts
Inter Miami moved on to the next round as expected, and as also expected, the team was led by Messi & The Fantastics. The veteran players are showing that they still have enough to be difference-makers and influence the outcome of games. Lionel Messi is the biggest superstar on the team and the greatest difference-maker for Miami, so he must stay healthy. Seeing Messi come off early in the second half is concerning. Tata must manage his minutes and ensure Lionel makes it to the end of the season on the pitch.
Diego Gomez and Federico Redondo are two of the best young midfielders in MLS. I don’t know if the casual fan understands how much Gomez has progressed in a short period of time. Diego has made great strides and will continue to develop into a top-talent if he remains injury-free. Redondo has shown his quality immediately along with his natural leadership. The young player is vocal on the pitch and is not afraid to command the ball, yet he is aware of his role on the squad.
Miami moves on and now Tata has to strategize his next moves. How much will he continue to play Suarez, Busquets, and Alba? How much rest is he going to give them, and how much does he trust his young stars?
The season is in its initial stages, but the decisions made now will lay the foundation for the success in the near future.
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