News Summary
Inter Miami faced FC Cincinnati in a scoreless draw that highlighted significant disciplinary issues, including suspensions of key players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. Coach Javier Mascherano criticized MLS policies regarding suspensions and officiating. The match featured contentious penalty calls and a denied late goal for Cincinnati, underscoring the ongoing challenges for Miami. The team’s fifth-place position in the Eastern Conference remains precarious as they struggle offensively without their star players.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida — July 26
Inter Miami recorded a scoreless draw against FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium, with significant attention focused on disciplinary actions that affected the match’s outcome. The absence of key players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, both suspended by Major League Soccer (MLS), was a central factor in the game, and the decision to suspend them has sparked debate among team officials and fans alike.
Messi and Alba Suspended for Missing All-Star Game
MLS suspended Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the league’s All-Star Game earlier in the season. Their suspension prevented them from participating in the match against Cincinnati, which impacted Inter Miami’s offensive and strategic options. With both players absent, the team struggled offensively, unable to convert opportunities into goals, and ended the match with no goals on the scoreboard.
Inter Miami Head Coach Criticizes MLS Suspension
The team’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, voiced strong criticism of the suspension policy. He questioned the fairness of penalizing players based on whether the game is home or away, suggesting that the measures are inconsistent. Mascherano highlighted the financial motivations often behind such decisions, noting that when it comes to filling stadiums and generating revenue, no one questions the league’s decisions. This comment underscored concerns regarding the perceived discrepancy in disciplinary enforcement.
Disputed Penalty Calls and Officiating Controversies
Inter Miami’s game was marred by contentious officiating decisions. The club did not receive any penalties this season, remaining unique among MLS teams. During the match against Cincinnati, the team believed they should have been awarded at least two penalties but did not receive them. The officiating decisions included a pivotal moment in stoppage time when Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson appeared to score with a header. The goal was negated after VAR review, which upheld an initial foul call against Miami defender Noah Allen. The decision denied Miami a potential victory and contributed to the draw outcome.
Yellow Card and Game Dynamics
Javier Mascherano was issued a yellow card during the match for vocally contesting the refereeing decisions. Despite the absence of Messi and Alba, Miami managed to outshoot Cincinnati 13-8 overall, but their inaccuracy or defensive issues limited the number of shots on target—only three compared to Cincinnati’s four.
Player Performance and Team Lineup
The starting goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo achieved his first clean sheet for Inter Miami, marking a positive individual milestone. The team was missing several players due to suspension or injury, including Maxi Falcon, who sat out due to yellow card accumulation. The absence of Messi was particularly felt on offense, as Miami’s attack lacked the usual potency. Conversely, Cincinnati’s Evander, who had scored twice against Miami in previous matches, was effectively contained and did not contribute to scoring.
Standings and Match Implications
The result left Inter Miami with one point, consolidating their fifth-place position in the Eastern Conference with 42 points. Conversely, Cincinnati dropped to second place with 49 points, still trailing Philadelphia, which leads with 50 points. This draw represented a missed opportunity for Miami to advance in the standings, especially considering their previous 3-0 loss to Cincinnati earlier in the season. The game’s outcome underscores ongoing challenges faced by Miami in maintaining offensive effectiveness without their star players.
Overall, the match highlighted ongoing issues with officiating consistency and disciplinary policies, as well as the importance of club personnel decisions affecting team performance. The controversy surrounding Messi’s suspension and the officiating calls will likely continue to be topics of discussion as the MLS season progresses.
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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
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