Inter Miami CF (6W-14L-4D, 22 points) secured a point and a clean sheet in a scoreless draw against Nashville SC (11W-9L-6D, 39 points) at DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday night to extend the team’s ongoing Club-record unbeaten streak to 10.
Lineup Notes
Drake Callender started in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Tomás Avilés, Kamal Miller and Jordi Alba formed the back four; Dixon Arroyo, Sergio Busquets, and Diego Gómez started in midfield; captain Lionel Messi and Robert Taylor started on the wings alongside striker Josef Martínez.
Match Action
Just minutes after presenting the Leagues Cup trophy, the First Team’s historic first piece of official silverware, Inter Miami took to the field to face the same side the team topped in a dramatic penalty shootout in the memorable final of the competition. Nashville was Inter Miami’s last rival in the 2023 Leagues Cup as the team won all seven games en route to clinching the title and tonight was the first time the trophy was presented to the Club’s loyal fans at DRV PNK Stadium.
The first half presented a close first 45 minutes of action that saw both sides defend stoutly while in search of generating opportunities in attack. The best opportunities for the team in the early stages of the match came through set piece opportunities, but the visitors kept Inter Miami scoreless.
Taylor then had two chances in attack in the final 10 minutes of the half that created danger for the opposition, in particular with a powerful strike from outside the box that went over the bar after receiving a ball from Messi in the 34th minute. The scoreline, however, remained unmoved and the match went into the half scoreless.
The second half followed suit, with both teams displaying solid defensive play throughout the second 45 minutes of the proceedings. Notably, goalkeeper Callender and center back Miller, who earned Heineken Star of the Match honors, led on the defensive end with key performances to stifle Nashville’s attempts, with the USMNT goalkeeper recording two saves and the Canadian international defender registering three interceptions.
In the dying moments of the match it seemed as if Inter Miami was going to be able to find a late winner in the seventh minute of added time when Messi entered the box after receiving a ball from Busquets and dribbling past two defender, but his low right footed finished was saved by Nashville’s keeper.
In the end the scoreline remained unmoved and Inter Miami earned a point at home and extended the team’s current ongoing Club-record unbeaten run to 10.
Post-Match Reaction
“What we have to do is move on. This can happen. It is true that we were a bit unaccustomed to this. The titles, the final, with a league game won the other day in New York, but we must move forward. There are still many things left to say,“ said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
Heineken Star of the Match
Miller was voted Heineken Star of the Match tonight thanks to his stellar defensive showing.
Fan of the Match presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Next Match
Inter Miami will now hit the road to close out the week by facing LAFC at BMO Stadium this Sunday, Sept. 3 at 10 p.m. ET.
Stats:
Possession:
MIA - 69.1%
NSH - 30.9%
Shots:
MIA - 13
NSH - 7
Saves:
MIA - 2
NSH - 4
Corners:
MIA - 4
NSH - 3
Fouls:
MIA - 16
NSH - 9
