Baltasar Rodriguez’s second half strike salvaged a road point for Inter Miami, who were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Lionel Messi still absent.
A much-changed Miami struggled to open the game. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were known absences due to injury, but Sergio Busquets, the ever-reliable midfield metronome, watched from the bench to start, as did Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The result was a Miami lacking in fluidity and suspect defensively.
D.C. United were good value for their opener, with youngster Jackson Hopkins reacting first to a loose ball before tucking home. Miami, for their part, created little, and failed to put a shot on target in the first half. They looked more dangerous after the break, though.
Rodriguez put a shot off the post. Noah Allen forced a full-stretch save. Rodriguez got the equalizer just after the hour mark, releasing a wonderful half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards out.
The home side might have won it, but Jacob Murrell saw his clever finish chalked off for a narrow offside. Miami, too, came close, with De Paul putting a free-kick off the post. But spoils were shared in the end, the Herons’ attention inevitably turned to Wednesday’s Leagues Cup semifinal clash.
BALLGM rates Inter Miami’s players from Audi Field.
Baltasar Rodriguez’s second half strike salvaged a road point for Inter Miami, who were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Lionel Messi still absent.
A much-changed Miami struggled to open the game. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were known absences due to injury, but Sergio Busquets, the ever-reliable midfield metronome, watched from the bench to start, as did Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The result was a Miami lacking in fluidity and suspect defensively.
D.C. United were good value for their opener, with youngster Jackson Hopkins reacting first to a loose ball before tucking home. Miami, for their part, created little, and failed to put a shot on target in the first half. They looked more dangerous after the break, though.
Rodriguez put a shot off the post. Noah Allen forced a full-stretch save. Rodriguez got the equalizer just after the hour mark, releasing a wonderful half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards out.
The home side might have won it, but Jacob Murrell saw his clever finish chalked off for a narrow offside. Miami, too, came close, with De Paul putting a free-kick off the post. But spoils were shared in the end, the Herons’ attention inevitably turned to Wednesday’s Leagues Cup semifinal clash.
BALLGM rates Inter Miami’s players from Audi Field.
Rocco Novo (6/10):
Couldn’t do anything about Hopkins’ opener. Made a couple of tidy saves.
Marcelo Weigandt (7/10):
Not the 5-foot-7 Argentine people would have paid to see, you’d imagine. Solid throughout, and kept the right side tidy.
Ryan Sailor (5/10):
A bit uncomfortable in just his first appearance of the season. Lost his man on the goal.
Gonzalo Lujan (6/10):
A tidy 55 minutes before being removed in favor of more attacking options.
Noah Allen (6/10):
Filled in effectively for Jordi Alba defensively, but his attacking chops are lacking.
Tomas Aviles (6/10):
Played out of position as a defensive midfielder, but looked far more assured when moved into the back line.
David Ruiz (5/10):
Energetic but lacking in positional discipline. Miami looked more controlled when he was subbed off.
Telasco Segovia (5/10):
Not his most involved showing. Bit loose in his passing and created just one chance.
Benjamin Cremaschi (6/10):
Given a chance to show his quality after a week of controversy. Still didn’t get to play in his preferred position, and was wayward in the final-third. Not the kind of performance to keep a disgruntled coach happy.
Tadeo Allende (5/10):
Deployed as a No .9 despite spending most of the season out wide. Struggled for his hour on the pitch and completed just eight passes.
Fafa Picault (6/10):
Not the most glamorous showing, but he did plenty of defensive work and supported Suarez well late on.
Baltasar Rodriguez (7/10):
Scored an absolutely outrageous goal to equalize. Quiet otherwise.
Sergio Busquets (7/10):
Miami were completely changed when he entered. Dictated possession and made things happen.
Rodrigo De Paul (6/10):
Right into the mix and gave the Herons an extra attacking thrust – even if he made the wrong decision here and there.
Luis Suarez (6/10):
Up to his usual tricks, finding clever angles and distributing well. Got hilariously booked for complaining.
Ian Fray (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Javier Mascherano (6/10):
Made eight changes from the team that won in Leagues Cup midweek. Miami were disjointed as a result, and deserved no more than the draw.
