Lionel Messi missed a penalty, and the wheels quickly came off for انتر Miami as they slumped to a second straight 3-0 defeat – this time against a surging نادي شارلوت لكرة القدم.
Miami actually started well, pushing higher up the pitch than usual and creating early chances. Jordi Alba forced Kristijan Kahlina into a point-blank save in the sixth minute, and the Herons continued to press until earning their first MLS penalty of the season in the 31st. With regular taker لويس Suárez suspended, Messi stepped up. The 38-year-old tried a Panenka, but Kahlina read it all the way. Seconds later, Charlotte punished the miss when Idan Toklomati capped off a blistering counterattack to put the hosts ahead.
Toklomati wasn’t finished. Early in the second half, Wilfried Zaha sliced through Miami’s defense on the flank and set up the Israeli striker for his second. In the 84th minute, Zaha drew a penalty from Sergio Busquets and, in a show of generosity, handed the ball to Toklomati to complete his first MLS hat trick.
The result pushed Charlotte into the record books with a ninth consecutive league win, tying the MLS mark. Miami, meanwhile, have now gone winless in three of their last four.
BALLGM rates Inter Miami’s players from Bank of America Stadium…
Lionel Messi missed a penalty, and the wheels quickly came off for Inter Miami as they slumped to a second straight 3-0 defeat – this time against a surging Charlotte FC.
Miami actually started well, pushing higher up the pitch than usual and creating early chances. Jordi Alba forced Kristijan Kahlina into a point-blank save in the sixth minute, and the Herons continued to press until earning their first MLS penalty of the season in the 31st. With regular taker Luis Suárez suspended, Messi stepped up. The 38-year-old tried a Panenka, but Kahlina read it all the way. Seconds later, Charlotte punished the miss when Idan Toklomati capped off a blistering counterattack to put the hosts ahead.
Toklomati wasn’t finished. Early in the second half, Wilfried Zaha sliced through Miami’s defense on the flank and set up the Israeli striker for his second. In the 84th minute, Zaha drew a penalty from Sergio Busquets and, in a show of generosity, handed the ball to Toklomati to complete his first MLS hat trick.
The result pushed Charlotte into the record books with a ninth consecutive league win, tying the MLS mark. Miami, meanwhile, have now gone winless in three of their last four.
بالجم rates Inter Miami’s players from Bank of America Stadium…
Oscar Ustari (5/10):
Not much he could do on either goal, and wasn’t challenged to make saves otherwise.
Ian Fray (4/10):
Made one strong run in the second half, but was largely ineffective, especially when lined up against Zaha. Subbed off for Marcelo Weigandt in the 70th minute.
Tomas Aviles (3/10):
The first goal was out of Miami’s control as it came in a counterattack, but the second was inexcusable as Toklomati split past both centerbacks with ease. Was sent off in the 79th minute after picking up a second yellow as he tried to grab Charlotte’s striker.
ماكسي فالكون (4/10):
Same as Aviles and not as effective as usual. Didn’t respond when needed.
جوردي ألبا (6/10):
One of Miami’s few bright spots, connected on four key passes and almost scored in the opening 10 minutes.
Rodrigo De Paul (5/10):
De Paul was one of the world’s best box-to-box midfielders before arriving at Miami, and for whatever reason, he continues to be used as a wide midfielder by Mascherano. He was largely accurate on his passing, but was invisible in performing in the way that a wide player should, which is creating off-dribble and penetration.
Yannick Bright (4/10):
Didn’t help Miami stop the counterattack on the first goal and didn’t have his usual impact in the center of midfield. Pulled for Noah Allen after 55 minutes.
Sergio Busquets (3/10):
Connected on 87 percent of his passes, but none of those passes served as a spark on attack. Essentially killed any chance of a rally for Miami by fouling Zaha in the box to concede a penalty.
Telasco Segovia (4/10):
The only actual wide player on the pitch to start the game for Miami, Segovia followed suit when it came to the poor showing from the Herons’ midfield. Outside of one shot on target, he was invisible before being pulled for Daniel Pinter.
تاديو الليندي (5/10):
Quietly, the best player on attack for Inter Miami, had two shots on target but couldn’t get past a determined Kahlina.
Lionel Messi (3/10):
As human as he’s ever looked in MLS, this was a poor outing from the Argentine legend – his second in a row following an equally quiet showing at the كأس الدوري. His missed penalty changed the momentum of the contest, giving Charlotte a spark. Despite Miami largely controlling possession, it never appeared as if Messi would get going in this game. Without Suarez to worry about, Charlotte put two to three bodies on Messi with every touch and dared his teammates to do the scoring instead. That strategy was obviously effective considering the scoreline.
نوح ألين (5/10):
Came on for Bright but didn’t change much in the contest.
Daniel Pinter (4/10):
Made his MLS debut after starring in MLS Next, which is always a great moment. But ineffective otherwise.
Marcelo Weigandt (4/10):
He was worse than the player he came on for.
Javier Mascherano (2/10):
The best managers find a way to get their teams back on track after an embarrassing defeat, yet Inter Miami suffered their second-straight 3-0 loss. That’s unacceptable considering the 14-day break the club had between losing the Leagues Cup final and this match. Mascherano’s close relationship with Messi will likely keep him in this job for this season, but pressure should be mounting on a manager who looks tactically out of his depth on the touchline.
