Gritty Win For Inter Miami CF At Home Versus Charlotte FC

Chase Stadium- A gritty Inter Miami CF squad kept the three points at home versus a strong Charlotte FC team that played a man up for most of the match. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was tossed from the game after committing a DOGSO foul on Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha in the 38th minute. Tadeo Allende scored the game-winner after receiving a lovely chip assist from Luis Suarez to start the second half.

Starting XI

Lionel Messi made it to the game day roster Sunday afternoon against Charlotte but did not make it on the pitch for the Herons. Oscar Ustari started in goal, with Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Toto Aviles and Gonzalo Lujan the back four. Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi and Yannick Bright formed the midfield three. Telasco Segovia, Luis Suarez and Tadeo Allende the frontline attackers.

The Starting XI 🆚 Charlotte… #Messi will come off the bench & will likely see some minutes to work his way back into form…Allen & Avilés get the start at center-back, Lujan plays right-back…#InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/7MXdxEm1EB

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 9, 2025

Match Action

Charlotte FC came to town trying to get a statement win on the road against the defending Supporters’ Shield Champions, and they certainly made it tough on Miami. The Queen City squad closed down the spaces for Inter Miami and created some opportunities, led by Wilfried Zaha. The skillful and creative attacker gave Miami defenders fits for most of the first half.

Oscar Ustari was shown the straight red card for a DOGSO foul on Wilfried Zaha in the 38th minute, leaving Miami a man down for the rest of the match against Charlotte. Neither team managed to convert and went into the half with a 0-0 stalemate.

All tied at the half with #InterMiamiCF playing a man down after Oscar Ustari’s red card in the 38th minute… pic.twitter.com/fQzOhXV3ej

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 9, 2025

The second half kicked off with a bang as Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez teamed up on a magnificent goal. Allende masterfully controlled a long pass from Gonzalo Lujan, then played a quick one-two with Suarez, tapping the ball back to him before darting forward between Charlotte’s defenders. Suarez served a precise chip pass that Tadeo controlled and buried into the Charlotte FC net for the game-winning goal.

Luis Suarez masterfully controls the long ball ⚽️ & the quick combination with Allende leads to Tadeo’s clinical finish…1-0 #InterMiami leads in the 46th minute down a man …#MLS https://t.co/q0MlVuyd4u

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 9, 2025

Charlotte continued to press forward trying to find the equalizing score, but Inter Miami’s defensive wall would not allow it, and the match ended 1-0 with the Herons pulling out a gritty win. Three hard-fought points for the Herons show Inter Miami are more than just flair and superstars; they are also resilient and gritty.

Postgame     

Wilfried Zaha was having his way with Inter Miami defenders until Ian Fray was substituted into the game in the second half. The young defender held his own against the veteran star to the point where Zaha seemed frustrated. Fray and Zaha went back and forth jawing at each other, but it all stayed on the pitch, like the code dictates.

Ian Fray defended Wilfried Zaha really well & even got chippy with him, he let me know that what’s said on the pitch stays on the pitch..#MLS #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/g0avzPVKqP

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2025

Final Thoughts

Javier Mascherano has gotten results from his team despite difficult circumstances each match. If it isn’t a blizzard, it’s a red card or an injury to a key player [Messi]. No matter the situation, Masch’s team is garnering points and the young coach is excelling early on.

Yannick Bright is a diamond in the rough, with a very high ceiling. If Yannick continues to develop his technique and attacking prowess, Inter Miami will have an extraordinary midfielder.

Yannick Bright keeps improving, & it’s scary to think just how good he could be if he reaches his full potential…#MLS #InterMiamiCF https://t.co/3ghcJFHU7d

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) March 10, 2025

Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende have received all the accolades so far, but Gonzalo Lujan is another young stud Inter Miami has brought in for the 2025 season. The defender has quietly done a good job of helping the Herons solidify their back line.

The Heron’s gritty, hard-fought victory over a good Charlotte FC squad demonstrates that this team is more than just about superstars. Inter Miami is a deep team full of young players who are ambitious and talented.

Ian Fray is the best right-back Inter Miami has, and it should be clear by now. Fray should be the starting right-back for the Herons moving forward. I know the injury concerns, but for his and the team’s sake, they need to know how good he can be and if he can make it through a whole season without a serious injury.