With Lionel Messi suspended, Inter Miami draws with Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati - English Inter Miami - English Javier Mascherano - English Lionel Messi - English Luis Suárez - English MLS - English Sports

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It has been a difficult few days for Inter Miami, where after Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba refused to play in the MLS All-Star Game, the league suspended them for one game and it was against the leader of the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati. Despite the complexity of the match, the Florida team managed a 0-0 draw in a key clash for their playoff hopes.

Javier Mascherano’s team could not count on their captain due to suspension, there was a great controversy over a penalty not awarded in the second half and, at the end, they could have been left empty-handed, but the visitors’ goal was disallowed in added time. The positive point of the day was the presentation of Rodrigo De Paul in front of the public at Chase Stadium. Curiously, it was the “most emotional” moment at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami with everything against them against FC Cincinnati

The Herons faced this match with many absentees. Initially, they were unable to count on goalkeepers Oscar Ustari and Drake Callender, both through injury. This led to the permanence of Rocco Rios Novo under the three posts. Physical ailments also hit the infirmary in the cases of Ian Fray, Allen Obando and Baltasar Rodriguez. And as mentioned, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba joined that list of absentees.

Under this scenario, Javier Mascherano’s side suffered from the start in the last line with constant attacks from Cincinnati. Inter Miami tried to react in some way, but struggled to have fluidity in the final meters. There was only a timid header from Fafa Picault, but it was countered by the visitors with a quick counter-attack between Valenzuela, Evander and Kei Kamara which ended in a cross shot from the latter inside the area, which went wide of the left post.

The controversy erupted at the end of the match

Inter Miami continued its slow improvement in the second half, led by a hard-working Suarez. The Uruguayan striker fought against the central defenders, fought for every ball and gave himself to the team. After failed advances by Evander and Valenzuela, the Uruguayan striker had his chance in the box: he got rid of a rival, made space for himself and struck a left-footed shot that went wide of the post.

In the 64th minute, a controversial action where Suarez legitimately displaced a defender, waited for the right moment and sent a through ball to the onrushing Picault, who was left one-on-one with Celentano and, when he was about to finish, was brought down by DeAndre Yedlin. The whole Herons squad asked for a penalty, but referee Tori Penso gave continuity and the VAR did not call her to review the play.

MLS will take a break to compete in the Leagues Cup, a regional tournament where US teams will face teams from Liga MX. Inter Miami will begin its participation in the group stage on Wednesday 30 against Atlas; on August 2 it will face Fernando Gago’s Necaxa and on the 6th it will close against Pumas UNAM with Keylor Navas as starting goalkeeper.

This news was originally published on this post .