March 12 – Not even the genius of Lionel Messi could break the deadlock in the last 16 encounter between Nashville and Inter Miami.
It was a match that Inter Miami dominated with close to 60% of possession but failed to get their talisman Messi enough good ball to work his match-winning magic. Messi came into the game looking for his 900th career goal for club and country after scoring his 899th against DC United last weekend.
Nashville will ultimately rue their missed chances having out shot Inter Miami 15 – 8, with four of their shots on target against Inter Miami’s single effort on target.
Nashville’s leading scorer Sam Surridge had the first chance of the game on 11 minutes, with inswinger from the left of the box that went just wide of the right post.
Warren Madrigal had the next best chances heading wide for Nashville on 22 minutes and forcing a save from Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair on 38 minutes.
St Clair was in action again four minutes later saving a powerful right-footed shot from Surridge from inside the box.
Half time the score was 0-0 but the balance of opportunities were very much in favour of Nashville against a surprisingly subdued Messi and Miami.
Messi’s first real shot on goal eventually came in the 57th minute from the right side of the box. Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake palmed the ball away but Germán Berterame failed to make the most of the rebound, pushing the ball wide of the left post.
Hany Mukhtar and Madrigal both had further attempts for Nashville in the 62nd and 70th minutes, but the best chance of the game came off a set piece delivery from Cristian Espinoza in the 68th minute that found Reed Baker-Whiting in the box who sent his header just over the crossbar.
“The team played a good game, especially in terms of defensive organization, preventing Nashville from playing comfortably,” said Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“It’s never easy coming here; we knew that beforehand. And well, now we wait for next Wednesday with our fans to see if we can close out the tie and advance to the quarterfinals.”
Nashville now have the difficult task of going to Florida for the Second Leg of the series next Wednesday at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
The winner will play the winner of Philadelphia Union and Club America in the quarter finals.