Inter Miami Triumphs Over Charlotte FC Despite Playing with 10 Men
In a thrilling encounter at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami CF managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC, even after being reduced to 10 men. The match was a testament to the resilience and tactical acumen of Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, who had to make some quick decisions following a red card incident.
The drama unfolded in the first half when Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, was sent off in the 35th minute. Ustari received a red card for a foul on Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha during a one-on-one situation that could have easily led to a goal for Charlotte. This unexpected turn of events forced Mascherano to alter his game plan significantly.
One of the most notable changes was the decision to keep Lionel Messi on the bench. Messi, who was included in the squad for the first time since February 25, was initially expected to make an appearance. However, Mascherano explained, “The reality is that in the case of Leo maybe we had thought about giving him minutes in the game. But since the game was played with one man less, and taking into consideration the time he has without playing, we thought that the best thing was to preserve it. We didn’t want to risk it.”
Despite Messi’s absence, Inter Miami showcased their depth and determination. The team managed to score the only goal of the match in the 46th minute, thanks to a brilliant effort by new signee Tadeo Allende. Following the goal, Miami’s defense held strong, preventing Charlotte from finding an equalizer.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Inter Miami’s resilience: Playing with 10 men for a significant portion of the match, the team displayed remarkable resilience and tactical discipline.
- Mascherano’s strategic decisions: The coach’s decision to keep Messi on the bench was a calculated risk that paid off, ensuring the team’s victory without compromising Messi’s fitness.
- Allende’s impact: The new signee’s goal was crucial in securing the win, highlighting his potential as a valuable asset for the team.
Mascherano expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “I want to keep the resilience. Try to go forward. I think today we showed a lot of team spirit. We need to continue in this way. Keep working together, working hard. We know that maybe we believe that we think that we are nice and beautiful. We are wrong. We need to keep going forward.”
With this victory, Inter Miami maintains their unbeaten record in all competitions this season. The team now shifts their focus to the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 series against Cavalier. Miami leads the series 2-0 after a solid performance in the first leg at Chase Stadium on March 6.
Looking ahead, Mascherano acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead, saying, “It’s a long season for us. We have a tough game Thursday. Will be difficult, difficult in Jamaica. So we have to be ready. It’s not easy. We are playing every three, four days. We are tired. The squad is not too long. We have some injuries, but we keep going forward.”
He concluded with a powerful message, “In football, we have two ways: excuses or results. And we have to choose results.”
Originally Written by: Lizzy Becherano
