Nashville beat Miami to take it to game three

Nashville SC 2 – 1 Inter Miami

NASHVILLE, TN–Inter Miami were hoping to make it two wins from two to reach the conference semi-finals but were beaten by a Nashville side that looked determined not to lose.

The home side were faced with the very real possibility of being dumped out of the competition in front of their own fans, but two first half goals was enough to down Miami and stay in the competition.

It was win or bust for Nashville who were pumped up from the first whistle in what was a fiery start to an entertaining game. Ian Fray and Max Falcon involved in separate flare up’s inside the first ten minutes.

Miami were looking to beat their opposition for the eleventh straight game and end this tie on the night to seal their spot in the conference semi-finals, but Nashville had other ideas.

The tie was turned on its head early in the match when Rocco’s Ríos Novo caught the leg of Sam Surridge and conceded a penalty.

With no goals, or even a single shot during the play offs so far, Surridge would have been chomping at the bit for an opportunity, and they don’t get much better than this.

And the clubs top scorer stepped up and didn’t disappoint as he found the net to set his side on their way.

It was an early set back for Miami coach Javi Mascherano who would have liked to end the tie on the night and avoid a third game, giving his players a chance to rest. But Nashville seemed to have the bit between their teeth and took the game to their rivals.

The Herons tried to hit back and Luis Suarez was unlucky when he hit the post after he was found by Lionel Messi with a fabulous through ball, but it was the home side that enjoyed the lions share of the ball in the opening half.

It could have been two when another chance for Nashville clipped the cross bar, and then Ríos Novo was called into action twice late in the first half to deny a hungry attack.

But they couldn’t keep them out and Nashville scored from a corner when Josh Bauer scrambled the ball into the net and extend their lead.

Miami were being outplayed and outmuscled by a Nashville side that showed a different approach to this game. They gave Miami too much respect in the past and were guilty of not playing their own game, often being dictated to.

But this was different, Messi was being subdued and the Herons seemed to have had their wings clipped as the home side dominated.

Much like the first game however, the second half was quite different as Miami tried to find a way back from two goals down.

Telasco Segovia was brought on for Noah Allen as Mascherano looked to switch things up and add some more attacking firepower.

Surridge went close to adding to his tally early on to remind Miami to keep on their toes as they chased the game.

But the truth is that Miami huffed and puffed, but were unusually toothless in attack and it wasn’t until well passed the hour mark before they forced a save from Joe Willis when he denied Suarez.

Surridge could have won a penalty when Segovia caught him, but the referee didn’t want to know and waved play on. And the striker should have wrapped things up soon after when he was through on goal but skied it.

Despite having most of the second half possession, Miami didn’t look much like scoring and weren’t at the races.

A goal in the last minute from Messi gave them hope, but it was too late to affect the result and Nashville held on to secure a well earned win.

It now all rests on the third and final game as each side looks to extend their season and make it to the conference semi-final.

Follow us on bluesky

Follow us on Twitter