Inter Miami Held to Scoreless Draw Against FC Cincinnati

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Inter Miami faced FC Cincinnati in a scoreless draw on July 26 at Chase Stadium, continuing a challenging season for the team. The match was marked by notable absences as both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were suspended by Major League Soccer (MLS) for skipping the All-Star Game.

The suspension of two star players clearly affected Inter Miami’s performance in the match, as evidenced by head coach Javier Mascherano‘s criticism of the MLS decision. He questioned the inconsistency in treatment regarding home and away games, specifically pointing out that while no complaints arise when venues are packed and profits are maximized, suspensions can often hamper a team’s chances without proper justification.

Despite missing their star players, Inter Miami managed to dominate possession and outshot Cincinnati with 13 to 8 overall, although they were outshot on target 4 to 3. The team did have some scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalize, raising concerns about officiating after Mascherano argued that there were instances that warranted a penalty.

Match Details and Implications

This recent draw resulted in a single point for Inter Miami, maintaining their position in fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 42 points. In contrast, FC Cincinnati dropped to second place with 49 points, trailing behind Philadelphia, which holds the conference lead at 50 points. The draw was perceived by many as a missed opportunity for Inter Miami to gain points, especially after suffering a 3-0 loss to Cincinnati in their previous encounter.

Inter Miami’s concerns were compounded by a controversial foul call late in the match. Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson scored a header, but it was ruled out after a foul on Inter Miami defender Noah Allen, a decision that was upheld after a video assistant referee (VAR) review. Mascherano’s frustration with the officiating resulted in him receiving a yellow card during the match.

Player Availability and Performance

In addition to Messi and Alba’s absence, Miami was already grappling with other player unavailability due to suspensions and injuries. Notably, Maxi Falcon was sidelined due to yellow card accumulation, further limiting Miami’s options on the field.

Goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo made his mark by securing his first clean sheet for Inter Miami during the match, an achievement that also marked the team’s first clean sheet since June 14. Nevertheless, the offense displayed by Inter Miami struggled without Messi, who typically elevates their attacking output.

FC Cincinnati’s Evander, a player who had previously scored twice against Miami, was kept off the scoreboard, showcasing Miami’s defensive efforts despite their offensive challenges.

Conclusion and Upcoming Challenges

With this draw, Inter Miami continues to navigate a difficult MLS season, aiming to improve their standings amid challenging circumstances. The implications of missing key players like Messi could weigh heavily in the coming matches as they strive for a better position in the playoffs. Future games will be crucial for the team to regain momentum and secure a place in the competitive landscape of Major League Soccer.