Inter Miami get a hammering

Nashville SC 4-1 Inter Miami

NASHVILLE. TN–It was a tough night out for Inter Miami as they struggled against the pace and precision of a Nashville side that showed no fear or mercy. With Lionel Messi back in the starting eleven, hopes were high that he could provide the lift for his team to secure valuable points on the road. But the reality was stark in contrast as the Herons were second best for most of the game.

Nashville were quick to find their feet, and they gave Rocco Rios Novo plenty to do in the Miami goal during the early stages, and the keeper did well to keep them out.But the pressure soon told and Nashville opened the scoring after the fifteen-minute mark when Andy Najar latched onto a cross from Elias Saad that seemed to evade everyone before falling to the full back to head home.

The Herons had a chance to level things up when Luis Suarez was brought down in the penalty area to earn his side a penalty kick. Up stepped Messi, but so did Brian Schwake and he made the save. Sergio Reguilon followed up to convert the loose ball, but it was ruled out after he was adjudged to have entered the box before the kick was taken.

Miami’s season long defensive struggles were again in evidence when they were taken apart by the slick movement of the home team. They continued to search for an equaliser but couldn’t break down a strong Nashville side that were enjoying the contest in front of their home supporters. And as the half drew to a close it seemed the Nashville would go into the break with a one goal cushion, but Messi had other ideas.

The Miami captain played a clever ball in to Telasco Segovia who managed to wriggle away from two defenders before lashing his shot into the far corner of the net and silenced the crowd in the dying minutes of the first half.

That may have put a different complexion on the half time team talk for coach Hoyos, but it was all in vain soon after the second half kicked off when the wheels started to fall off and Miami were taken apart. In the opening minutes Hany Mukhtar, found himself in acres of space inside the penalty area and was able to turn and shoot to give his side the lead, leaving Rios Novo no chance.

That scoreline was compounded soon after when some great work by Reed Baker-Whiting to keep the ball found Cristian Espinoza out wide and his cross was delightfully flicked into the net by Sam Surridge. And when it seemed like it couldn’t get much worse, Rios Novo had a moment to forget. A quick drop kick by Schwake caught his opposite number off guard and he slipped at the exactly the wrong time, letting Mukhtar in with a free run at an empty net. It was a fifteen minute spell that essentially ended the game and signaled party time for the home fans on the terraces.

To their credit, Miami continued to search for a response and came close on occasions. Messi hit the woodwork twice and had a goal ruled out, but it wasn’t to be their night. They hadn’t been performing at their best in recent weeks but were still managing to secure points throughout that period. However, this was another warning sign and a result that will leave the coaches scratching the head and with plenty to do.

Photos by Andrew Card

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