Inter Miami Sings The Blues, Plays Nashville To A Scoreless Draw

DRV PNK Stadium – Inter Miami CF played to a scoreless draw Wednesday night against a gritty and disciplined Nashville SC team on the same night when the Leagues Cup 2023 trophy was presented to the home fans. Lionel Messi was held scoreless for the first since he played his initial match for Miami on July 21st. Miami defeated Nashville in a penalty kick shoot-out on August 19th in Nashville to win the first official trophy in team history.

Inaugural @LeaguesCup Champions 🏆@InterMiamiCF hoist their first trophy in front of their fans for the first time. pic.twitter.com/CHKh4bwiHa

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 30, 2023

Kick Off

Two of Miami’s U-22 Initiative players Diego Gomez and Tomas Aviles started the match for Inter Miami CF against Nashville SC. Gomez in place of Benjamin Cremaschi in the midfield and Aviles replacing Sergeii Kryvtsov at center-back.

A little surprised Gómez starts over Cremaschi…In Tata we trust …#InterMiamiCF #MLS #Messi𓃵 pic.twitter.com/nli9kIpUgx

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 30, 2023

Nashville began the match with a couple of shots on goal against Miami in the first ten minutes of action, but after that, it was all Inter with possession. The first half consisted of Nashville conceding the ball to the Herons who held a 71.7% to 28.3% advantage but were outshot by Nashville 4 shots to 3.

Nashville’s defensive tactics allowed few opportunities for Miami and focused on not allowing Messi to receive the ball comfortably in pockets of space, and when he did receive the ball he was surrounded by several players.

Nashville held Messi and Miami to a scoreless draw. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/NEjVszLk27

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 31, 2023

In the second half, Inter Miami continued with the majority of the ball control, but Nashville SC had several clear scoring chances that were saved by great defensive plays and fantastic goalkeeping from Drake Callender. Kamal Miller had his best game in an Inter Miami uniform against Nashville flying all over the pitch and making great plays.

Kamal Miller’s superb performance didn’t go unnoticed…TOTMD Week 29.. Congrats to @KMillz_00 ! https://t.co/8vTLZm0Snh

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 31, 2023

Drake Callender made some huge saves for Miami on Nashville’s counter-attacks to keep the clean sheet.

Initially, Yedlin is caught out of position, but he blazes back to deny a 1v1 & Callender with magnificent positioning, cuts off the angle to make a Huge save for #InterMiamiCF #MLS https://t.co/4fiertNi0a

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 31, 2023

Elliot Panicco did some fine work of his own in goal for Nashville, stuffing Miami’s few clear scoring chances.

Big-time save by Elliot Panicco late to help @NashvilleSC secure a point late against Inter Miami. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/LMpcQpROsO

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 31, 2023

A tactical masterclass by Nashville SC and Coach Gary Smith held Inter Miami scoreless and the Boys in Gold took home a golden point.

Postgame

I was able to ask Inter Miami CF Coach Tata Martino about his thoughts on the play of young center-back Tomas Aviles and veteran Kamal Miller. I wanted to know what his impressions were of the duo in a very tough match against Nashville.

I thought they played well..Kamal Miller was the best player on the pitch from my perspective…I think today they had a lot of work, especially in the second half …They had to defend vast spaces and they really did a good job maintaining central positioning… They were the first pass out in our attack…I highlight Kamal because he had a notable defensive play that might have saved us from leaving with zero points from the match…

Kamal Miller had himself a night to remember, sort of like when a baseball player hits for the cycle, he did it all. Miller was crisp when passing out the back, and a defensive stalwart when Nashville attacked. Kamal even looked good dribbling out of the back on occasion. Miami’s defense has improved, and one of the main reasons is the fact that Miller’s level of play has improved too.

I asked Tata about youngster Tomas Avilés & Kamal Miller, the starting center backs 🆚 Nashville…
“I thought they played well…Kamal Miller was the best player on the pitch from my perspective”…#InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/4p2T8qs5GB

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 1, 2023

Final Thoughts

Nashville SC came into DRV PNK Stadium with a plan, and they executed it almost perfectly. The Boys in Gold held a low block and countered using the spaces left open by Inter Miami CF. Honestly, the better scoring options came from Nashville, a team that conceded possession all match long. If the Nashville attackers were a little more ruthless Miami would have lost the match. One point is better than no points, but the tie feels like a loss because it came at home on the same night the Leagues Cup was presented to the home fans.

MLS does not break during the FIFA International Calendar match dates, and that’s going to hinder Inter Miami greatly. The Herons are in a chase for a playoff spot and will find themselves without approximately 9 players from their roster during some matches. Tata said that they will have to do with the players they have plus bring up players from the second team. With all the obstacles Miami is facing, if they make the playoffs it would be a monumental feat.

What a strange and wonderful season it has been so far, and it’s not over yet. Can’t wait to see what else is in store, sometimes reality is stranger than fiction.