The Herons were flat-footed, uninspiring and stagnant without Messi on the pitch, but still salvaged a point
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati played to a scoreless 0-0 draw at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Saturday night, as each side shared the spoils and walked away with a point.
The hosts were severely shorthanded, missing Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Maxi Falcon due to suspension, and Allen Obando, Baltasar Rodriguez, Ian Fray, and Oscar Ustari due to injury.
Messi and Alba were suspended by MLS for skipping the All-Star Game midweek, while Falcon missed out due to yellow card accumulation.
With that, the were tasked with an uphill battle, and U.S. international Benjamin Cremaschi was even tasked with playing left back, despite being a natural midfielder. At the end of the day, they walked away with a point, but it was uninspiring.
Their attacking momentum fell flat without Messi on the pitch, and on the flank, they missed the forward progression that Alba would normally bring to wide areas and in the final-third. Their midfield put forth a top-tier performance to keep the likes of FCC's superstar Evander quiet and earn a point.
In the final minutes, chaos erupted as FC Cincinnati appeared to score the go-ahead winner off a header from U.S. international Miles Robinson. However, after a lengthy VAR review, it was determined he fouled a Miami player while leaping into the air by putting his hands to the face of the defender. Miami responded, nearly finding the back of the net, too, but it was cleared off the line by FCC, and the final whistle blew minutes later.
For the , they'll take the draw, considering FCC defeated them just last week 3-0. However, it was a missed opportunity to leap ahead of an Eastern Conference contender.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium.
READ MORE:
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defense
Rocco Rios Novo (6/10):
Rarely tested, but looked composed in place of the veteran Oscar Ustari, who missed out due to injury.
Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):
Lively going forward, and arguably their most threatening player on the counter. Sound defensive performance, too.
Tomas Aviles (5/10):
Picked up a needless yellow in the first half, but was solid otherwise.
Gonzalo Lujan (7/10):
Looked really composed on and off the ball, kept Evander rather quiet. A top defensive performance.
Benjamin Cremaschi (5/10):
Played out of position, he found himself on a yellow just seven minutes in, and struggled all night. None of that is his problem, though – he never should have been lined up here.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Tadeo Allende (5/10):
Quiet going forward, he wasn't as effective in the attack on the counter or in possession. Not his best.
Federico Redondo (7/10):
Locked up the FC Cincinnati midfield rather well, but never properly stood out. Still a competitive showing against a very good team.
Sergio Busquets (7/10):
A real veteran performance. He was fantastic out of possession and helped contain the opposition's midfield all evening.
Fafa Picault (5/10):
Some really solid attacking moments, but his finishing was rather abysmal. So many chances, but woeful finishing.
GettyAttack
Telasco Segovia (5/10):
Quiet, quiet evening. A few nice passes and runs, but he was completely ineffective.
Luis Suarez (6/10):
A few really good opportunities in the box, but he never managed to get attempts on target. Really missed Messi alongside him.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Yannick Bright (N/A):
Subbed into the midfield with 18 minutes to play, and looked up to the task.
Noah Allen (N/A):
A decent cameo late in his return from injury.
Javier Mascherano (5/10):
He was shorthanded, sure. It's not easy to play without at least four key starters, and potentially a few more, but Miami played as if they had no game plan. There was little structure, and it was chaotic at times. Mascherano picked up a yellow for dissent in the second half, and was lucky not to see a second late on. Miami got the point, however, and he'll take that.
