Inter Miami grind out a tough win against DC United

DC United 1 – 2 Inter Miami

 

BALTIMORE, MD–Inter Miami held on to secure their second win of the season away to DC United in a close fought contest.

The first half went perfectly to plan for coach Javier Mascherano as the Herons looked comfortable from the outset and took a two-goal advantage with goals from Rodrigo De Paul and captain Lionel Messi.

The game started in typical fashion for the Herons as they kept the ball and pressed high when they did lose the ball, starving the opposition of possession.

Mateo Silvetti was given another start, and the young Argentine was a constant threat as Miami used his pace as an outlet down the left flank. And it was German Berterame that chased down the defender and wins the ball back before passing it to Telasco Segovia to feed De Paul who curled it away from the keep and into the far corner.

DC were struggling to get passed the defensive shield that Miami create. Micael and Maxi Falcon are starting to look comfortable playing together marshaling the back line and it made for a frustrating afternoon for the DC front line.It gave Miami the chance to pass the ball about at will, leading to some half chances as they looked to add to their early strike, with DC offering the occasional attack without making any serious threat.

When the home side did make a break, they often left themselves vulnerable to Miami’s lightning quick counterattack. And in a flash, it was two-nil. Silvetti weighted a perfect pass for Messi’s run, and the captain provided an equally perfect finish as his delicate chip eluded the onrushing Sen Johnson in the DC goal to give his side the two-goal cushion.

United started to create more after conceding the second goal, but they never looked like scoring and with no service for their frontline of Jason Hopkins and Tai Baribo. As half time arrived Miami were in complete control and the outcome seemed inevitable.

The second half continued in much the same way as Miami sat back and looked to pick their moment and try and extend their lead. DC huffed and puffed, but they were disappointing in the final third and any chances were wasted with poor decision making or finishing.

Louis Munteanu went close with an overhead kick but they hardly tested Dayne St. Clare in Miami goal, and they made it easy for the visitors to play their game and dominate. But they got their chance when Segovia misplaced a pass and they attacked at speed before Hopkins shot from distant and St.Clare could only parry it into the path of Baribo, who had and empty net to set up and interesting finish to the match.

Miami were cruising, but some slack passing let the opposition in, which led to a nervy finish for the traveling fans. DC had their tales up and Miami were flustered. They were misplacing passes and weren’t clicking with their teammates as the threat of DC seemed to affect their concentration.

De Paul was having his most affecting game for a while and his input was giving Miami the edge in midfield, showing why he was so highly regarded when he arrived.

DC had a late flurry as they tried to find an unlikely equalizer, but the final ball was often woeful, and they simply failed to threaten as much as they should.

This wasn’t Miami’s best performance, but they dug deep when they had to and managed to grind out the result, despite being in full control throughout the match.

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