Miami’s Struggles Continue: Messi Unable to Secure Victory Once Again
New York, 31st August 2023 – Inter Miami faced yet another setback as they failed to secure a win in a goalless draw against Nashville in the Major League Soccer. This marks the first time since the arrival of superstar Lionel Messi that the team has failed to find the back of the net.
Despite having two free kick opportunities, Messi was unable to convert them into goals. In a thrilling moment during injury time, Miami’s goalie Elliott Panico made a remarkable save, denying Messi’s shot after expertly maneuvering through four Nashville players. This was the first game in which Messi was unable to score a goal since joining Inter Miami.
However, Miami managed to keep their playoff hopes alive by securing a point from the match. To secure a spot in the playoffs, the team must now climb from their current 14th position to the ninth spot in the league.
Miami had been on a nine-game winning streak, including a victory in the semi-finals of the Open Cup, in which Messi played a significant role. However, their impressive run came to a halt as they faced a tough challenge from Nashville on their home turf. Prior to this match, Messi had scored an impressive 10 goals in nine games.
Meanwhile, Nashville midfielder Dax McCarty, who already managed to secure Messi’s shirt from the League Cup final, expressed his desire to add Messi’s second shirt to his collection. Despite his ambitious hopes, Messi was unable to fulfill McCarty’s wishes in this encounter.
Messi, along with Sergio Busquets, who entered the field in the 60th minute against the New York Red Bulls, were included in the starting lineup against Nashville. However, Nashville’s defense remained vigilant from the start, aiming to neutralize the attacking prowess of Messi and his teammates. They created a defensive stronghold, denying Miami any shots on goal in the first 60 minutes. Although Messi managed to find the net after a foul by Dax McCarty in the 60th minute, Panico’s exceptional save thwarted his efforts.
As the game progressed, Nashville occasionally threatened Miami with isolated counterattacks, but their hopes of rattling the net were dashed when an offside flag was raised just as Hani Mukhtar was about to celebrate. In the 83rd minute, Messi’s free kick was deflected by the defensive wall, further adding to Miami’s frustrations.
It is worth mentioning that in their previous encounter during the League Cup, Miami emerged victorious over Nashville in a thrilling penalty shootout, ultimately lifting the cup.
Miami’s journey with Messi has been a rollercoaster ride so far, with moments of brilliance and occasional setbacks. As the team looks to secure a spot in the playoffs, the pressure is on for Messi and his teammates to find their winning form once again.
Follow us for more updates in the world of soccer.
Note: To enhance the readability of the text, we have omitted the HTML formatting tags like h2, h3, lists, and bold.
New York: Inter Miami joined Lionel Messi without a win. After the League Cup final, the Miamians, who faced Nashville in the Major League Soccer, ended in a goalless draw. This is the first time since Messi’s arrival that Miami has failed to score in a game.
Messi had two free kick opportunities in the game but could not score. Goalie Elliott Panico made an effort to save Messi’s shot after cutting through four Nashville players in injury time. It was the first game Messi failed to find the back of the net since joining Inter Miami.
Miami kept their playoff chances alive with a point through the tie. Miami can make the playoffs if it climbs from 14th to ninth in the league.
League Cup and United States Final After winning all nine games played by Miami, including the semi-final of the Open Cup, in which Messi was participating, they went to challenge Nashville on their their own land. Messi scored 10 goals in nine games played.
Nashville midfielder Dax McCarty has already had Messi’s shirt from the League Cup final, he wanted Messi’s second shirt badly tonight. 😂
pic.twitter.com/p5fPpPP65P— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) August 31, 2023
Messi and Sergio Busquets, who entered the field in the 60th minute in the last match against the New York Red Bulls, were included in the starting line-up against Nashville. Nashville’s defense was alert from the kickoff, counting on the star and his teammates to power the offense. They built a fortress in their control area and did not allow Messi and his team to have a shot on goal in the first 60 minutes. A foul by Dax McCarthy in the 60th minute led to Messi hitting the net but Panico managed to push it away from the right position.
Meanwhile, there were opponents who kept Miami on the edge with isolated counterattacks and rattled the net once. But before Hani Mukhtar could start celebrating, the linesman was flagged for offside. In the 83rd minute, the free kick hit by Messi hit the defensive wall. In the last game where Messi scored a goal in the League Cup, Miami defeated Nashville in a shootout and lifted the cup.
#shot #minutes #Messi #Miami #locked #Nashville
