Miami Coach Stands in Stands After Red Card: ‘No Rules Broken
- Inter Miami secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 20th, despite playing the second half without head coach...
- Mascherano's ejection stemmed from a heated exchange with the fourth official regarding the amount of added time at the end of the first half.
- According to Mascherano, the disagreement arose because six minutes of added time were played despite the referee initially signaling four.
Mascherano Suspended, But Maintains Composure After Leagues cup Ejection
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Inter Miami Advances Despite Manager’s Red Card
Inter Miami secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 20th, despite playing the second half without head coach Javier Mascherano. The win came without the presence of Lionel Messi, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, and sets up a semifinal clash against Orlando City on August 27th.
Mascherano’s ejection stemmed from a heated exchange with the fourth official regarding the amount of added time at the end of the first half. He was shown a red card shortly after the interval.
A Controversial Dismissal and Stadium Strategy
According to Mascherano, the disagreement arose because six minutes of added time were played despite the referee initially signaling four. “We argued with the fourth official. I didn’t insult him, but I did argue quite vehemently,” Mascherano explained on Friday. Following his dismissal, Mascherano took a seat in the VIP section directly above the team bench, continuing to communicate with his staff.
The Leagues Cup disciplinary committee subsequently issued a one-match suspension to Mascherano,citing “offensive,insulting or abusive language towards the referees.” Though, the league confirmed that Mascherano did not violate any rules by remaining in the stadium and communicating with his team via cell phone.
“I abided by the rules and didn’t break any rules,” Mascherano asserted.”I could have even sat in a suite…it’s not my fault how the stadium is configured.” He emphasized his commitment to supporting his players, stating, “If my players and my team need me, I’ll be there, and I’ll pay the price, no problem.”
Team Adjustments and Upcoming Challenges
Inter Miami will be without both Messi and Mascherano for Saturday’s match against D.C. United. Mascherano also indicated that Jordi Alba is unlikely to travel to Washington due to a knee injury sustained during the quarterfinal match against Tigres.
despite these setbacks, Inter Miami remains a competitive force in the MLS Eastern Conference, currently holding fifth place with 45 points in 24 games. FC Cincinnati leads the conference with 52 points in 27 games, while D.C. united languishes at the bottom with 20 points and an 11-game winless streak.