A vital moment in the match where both teams are vying for control of the ball.
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati played to a scoreless draw at Chase Stadium, hampered by the absence of key players due to suspensions. Coach Javier Mascherano criticized the league for its handling of player suspensions, suggesting it affects game outcomes and team performance. The match saw Miami dominate in shots but fail to convert. With crucial players sidelined, Miami’s playoff aspirations remain uncertain as they look to improve their offensive strategy moving forward.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati battled to a scoreless draw on July 26 at Chase Stadium, a result that left both teams with mixed feelings. The notable absence of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba due to a suspension imposed by Major League Soccer (MLS) for skipping the All-Star Game influenced the outcome and drew criticism from Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano openly criticized the league’s decision to suspend Messi, implying that the treatment of such suspensions varied depending on whether a game is played at home or away. He pointed out that while the league tends to prioritize attendance and revenue generation, criticisms about missing star players are often overlooked when it benefits ticket sales. This decision not only affected the team’s performance but also their ability to capitalize on home-field advantage against a rival team.
The match concluded with neither team finding the back of the net, though Inter Miami had the upper hand in offensive production, outshooting Cincinnati 13-8, albeit being outshot on target 4-3. The draw sees Inter Miami maintaining its position in fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 42 points, while FC Cincinnati now stands in second place with 49 points, just one point behind league leaders, Philadelphia.
Mascherano expressed concerns regarding the lack of penalties awarded to his team this season, as Inter Miami is the only MLS team yet to receive a penalty kick in 2023. He highlighted two instances in the match against Cincinnati where Miami should have been awarded penalties, fueling further conversations about the state of officiating in the league. This ongoing issue raises questions regarding parity and fairness in match officiating, particularly for Miami’s struggling offense in the absence of key players.
In a controversial moment towards the end of the match, Inter Miami contested a goal by Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson that was disallowed after a foul was called on defender Noah Allen. Following a VAR review, the referee upheld the original decision, denying Cincinnati the opportunity to take the lead late in the game. As tensions rose, Mascherano received a yellow card for his animated protests towards game officials, highlighting the intense competitive nature of the match.
Inter Miami also faced challenges with player availability, as they were missing several key players due to suspension and injury. Maxi Falcon was sidelined due to yellow card accumulation, which further hindered the team’s offensive strategy. Despite these setbacks, rookie goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo made a commendable debut performance, recording his first clean sheet with the team and the club’s first since June 14.
While the scoreless draw can be viewed as a missed opportunity, it emphasizes the need for Inter Miami to refine their approach going forward, especially in light of their 3-0 defeat to Cincinnati in the previous encounter. The match proceedings raise important discussions regarding league policies, player management, and officiating which will undoubtedly remain in focus as the season progresses.
As they move on from this match, Inter Miami will focus on improving their standings and finding ways to maximize their scoring potential with key players returning in future matches. Whether or not this draw impacts their playoff aspirations remains to be seen in the weeks to come.
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