A Crucial Away Win Keeps Miami at the Top of the Table

Nashville SC 1 Inter Miami 2

The Herons continued their good form with an impressive away at Nashville, which keeps them ahead of the chasing pack with a two-point lead.

It was the home side that started more brightly as Nashville had most of the possession in the opening twenty minutes. Sam Surridge looked lively as they looked for an early opening, but they failed to create any real openings and threaten Drake Callendar’s goal.

As the half went on, Miami started to impose themselves, and they started to create chances. Leo Campana should have done better with a chance, but he blazed the ball high and wide from inside the penalty area.

Julian Gressel then hit a screamer that crashed onto the crossbar, with Joe Willis well beaten. It was a warning for the home team to close down the Miam attack and give them less room, but they failed to head it.

A series of corners for Miami saw a great header from Diego Gomez’s well saved by Willis, but seconds later, the keep was beaten.

Another corner was swung in, and Ian Fray rose well to score his second goal in as many games since his return from injury.

It was a well-deserved lead from a team that is coping well without their South American contingent currently on duty at Copa America.

Miami kept up the pressure, and another attack saw a Nashville clearance to the edge of the area that was picked up by Jordi Alba. The Spaniard controlled the ball before unleashing an unstoppable volley that hit the net to extend his side’s lead to two.

Nashville rallied in the second half but couldn’t cope with Miami’s attacking prowess. Despite the home side enjoying most of the possession, they simply couldn’t stop Miami from controlling the midfield and squeezing the space to limit their movement.

Hany Mukhtar looked like a frustrated figure throughout as he tried to work some magic and find some space, and he eventually got his chance from the penalty spot after Yannick Bright fouled Tyler Boyd.

It set up a grandstand finish, and soon after, Mukhtar went close with a long drive that was well saved by Callendar. The game was then end to end as the home side searched for an equalizer. A late chance in added time for Nashville substitute Forster Ajago was again saved well by Callendar, who had a great game.

As they continued to look for a second goal, it left them exposed at times, and Miami had chances to finish the game off, but neither side could add to their goal tally, and the game ended with a vital win for Inter Miami, who continue to sit atop the table.

Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino will be pleased with his side’s recent performances. Without the inspirational Lionel Messi, Inter might have felt the loss of such talent. But in his absence, his teammates have stepped up, and Miami continues to dominate games and set the benchmark for the rest.