In their penultimate match of the season, Inter Miami looked like a team that’s a work in progress.
Miami closed out their final home match of the year with a 2-2 draw against Charlotte FC, effectively knocking their Eastern Conference rival out of the playoff conversation. Goals by forwards Robbie Robinson and Nicolas Stefanelli helped the Herons earn a draw.
With Lionel Messi leering on the sidelines, Miami looked intentional through the first 40 minutes of the match.
Though they had a week and a half off to recover, the play on the field still looked slow and muddled despite edging Charlotte in possession 57% to 43%.
Miami’s first goal of the night came through Stefanelli in stoppage time of the first half. A nicely worked cross by defender Tomas Aviles saw his fellow Argentine put the Herons on top. Charlotte would answer shortly after that with Enzo Copetti, and subsequently take the lead with a Kerwin Vargas strike in the 52nd minute.
However, Inter Miami would climb back, and get the equalizer through Robbie Robinson in the 85th minute, sharing the points with Charlotte in the end.
Tata Martino on Messi
Martino spoke to the media after the match, addressing a number of questions.
When asked about Messi playing in Miami’s season finale on Saturday, Martino said he hasn’t discussed it in depth with the Argentine yet: “I saw Leo’s interview, saw what he said, but I just had time to say hello to him [Wednesday] and we have not had time to talk.”
Messi flew back in time from Lima after Argentina’s World Cup qualifying win against Peru to witness Miami’s last home match of the year. Though the 36-year-old didn’t participate, his presence was felt.
The 2023 season was one with historic firsts for Inter Miami. They managed to win their first trophy in club history and signed three of the best players of all time at their positions.
Although they didn’t make the playoffs, 2024 will be a year of high expectations and anticipation.
Wednesday’s night match certainly felt that way.