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 game took a dramatic turn in the 35th minute when Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, was sent off for a foul on Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha. The foul occurred in a one-on-one situation where Zaha was poised to have a clear path to the goal. This left Inter Miami with a significant challenge, but they rose to the occasion.
Mascherano had initially planned to bring on Lionel Messi as a substitute, marking his return to the squad for the first time since February 25. However, the red card forced a change in strategy. “The reality is that in the case of Leo maybe we had thought about giving him minutes in the game,” Mascherano explained. “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 winning goal came from new signing Tadeo Allende in the 46th minute. His strike was enough to secure the win, as the team defended resolutely to prevent Charlotte from finding an equalizer.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Inter Miami’s resilience was on full display, managing to win despite being a man down.
- Javier Mascherano’s tactical adjustments were crucial in securing the victory.
- Lionel Messi was preserved for future matches, prioritizing his long-term fitness.
- Tadeo Allende made a significant impact with his decisive goal.
Mascherano praised his team’s spirit and emphasized the importance of maintaining their momentum. “I want to keep the resilience. Try to go forward,” he said. “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.”
Inter Miami’s unbeaten run in all competitions this season continues, and they now turn their attention to the Concacaf Champions Cup. They are set to travel to Jamaica for the second leg of the round of 16 series against Cavalier FC, holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg played at Chase Stadium on March 6.
Mascherano acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “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 about the team’s mindset: “In football, we have two ways. Excuses or results. And we have to choose results.”
Originally Written by: Lizzy Becherano
