The Florida-based team temporarily escaped the bottom position in the East, but just dropped valuable points when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Nashville at DRV PNK’s home field. As a result, Lionel Messi and his teammates are still 10 points behind the 9th ranked team, Chicago Fire, to win tickets to the play-off round.
Can Messi bring Inter Miami into the MLS playoffs this season?
Speaking after the match, coach Tata Martino is confident that the door to the play-offs is not yet closed.
“Nashville are a good defensive team, and today I thought they sat a little deeper than in the final [Leagues Cup].
We maintained the tempo in the second half more than in the first; Paradoxically, the best situation is two opportunities of [Robert] Taylor in the first half. In the first half, the ball moved too slowly; In the second round, I think we did a little better, but it was difficult for us. These matches happen often, I understand everyone’s frustration. We also felt it was a great night to continue gaining ground..
What we have to do is continue. Anything can happen.“
Although it was not possible to win all 3 points, Inter Miami has the right to be proud of its strong makeover since the appearance of Messi. The Argentine superstar exploded with 11 goals to help the pink shirt team maintain an unbeaten series (won 9, drew 1).
Inter Miami is expected to experience a busy September with 7 matches, including the US Open Cup championship match with Houston Dynamo.
Bao Bao | 15:24 August 31, 2023
