News Summary
Inter Miami faced FC Cincinnati, resulting in a scoreless draw at Chase Stadium, with key players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba suspended. Coach Javier Mascherano criticized the officiating, claiming fairness issues affected player availability. Despite a strong effort, Miami outshot Cincinnati but struggled to convert chances into goals, marking a challenging night for the team. Rocco Rios Novo’s clean sheet was a positive highlight. With this draw, Miami remains in the playoff hunt but must adapt its strategy moving forward without its star players.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Inter Miami faced FC Cincinnati on July 26, resulting in a scoreless draw at Chase Stadium. The match was marked by the absences of key players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, who were suspended by Major League Soccer (MLS) for their decision to skip the All-Star Game. This absence was a significant factor in Inter Miami’s performance, with head coach Javier Mascherano expressing strong criticism regarding the suspension of Messi, stating that it highlighted inequities in how home and away games are treated in terms of officiating and player availability.
As a result of the draw, Inter Miami now holds fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 42 points, while FC Cincinnati falls to second place with 49 points, just behind Philadelphia, which leads the conference with 50 points. The match saw Miami outshoot Cincinnati 13 to 8 overall, although Cincinnati managed to have a slight edge in shots on target, registering 4 against Miami’s 3. Despite these efforts, Miami’s offense struggled significantly without their star player, Messi.
Match Overview
The draw is perceived as a missed opportunity for Inter Miami, especially given that they had lost 3-0 to Cincinnati in their previous meeting. During the match, Miami had two possible penalty situations that went uncalled, raising questions about the officiating. Notably, this season, Inter Miami is the only team in MLS that has not been awarded a penalty kick, despite multiple instances that could have warranted one.
Controversial Calls
A controversial moment occurred late in the match when Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson appeared to score a header; however, it was initially ruled out for a foul on Miami defender Noah Allen. Following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, the referee upheld the foul decision, confirming that the goal did not stand. This decision further fueled Mascherano’s frustration, which led to him receiving a yellow card for his animated protests towards the officiating crew.
Player Absences
Inter Miami was already missing several players due to both suspension and injury. Notably, Maxi Falcon was absent due to yellow card accumulation. The absence of key players like Messi and Alba proved to be a significant setback for the team, as they struggled to create scoring opportunities. Although Miami often maintained possession, their inability to capitalize on shots and convert them into goals was crucial in the match outcome.
Goalkeeping Performance
On a positive note, Rocco Rios Novo started in goal for Inter Miami, marking his first clean sheet with the team and the first for the franchise since June 14. His performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging evening for the squad.
Next Steps
Despite the draw, Inter Miami remains in the playoff hunt, albeit with challenges ahead. The team will have to reassess its strategy and find ways to effectively compete without key players, particularly Messi, as they aim to gain ground in the standings in the critical weeks ahead. The coaching staff’s critique on the suspension highlights ongoing discussions within the league about player availability and officiating fairness.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati Report
- USA Today: Mascherano Questions MLS Discipline
- Goal: Inter Miami Player Ratings vs FC Cincinnati
- Cleveland.com: How to Watch Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati
- NJ.com: Watch Lionel Messi Play Live
- Wikipedia: Lionel Messi
- Google Search: Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati
- Google Scholar: Inter Miami Soccer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google News: Inter Miami FC
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
