Tata Martino has named Inter Miami’s ‘best player’ against DC United, with the Argentina coach disregarding Lionel Messi.
The 36-year-old attacker was back in the starting XI after missing Wednesday’s Florida derby against Orlando City SC, with Messi suffering from a minor ankle injury picked up last week against CF Montreal.
Despite playing in front of a home crowd at Chase Stadium, Messi was unable to register another goal contribution as Leonardo Campana played the hero for Inter Miami with a 94th-minute winner.
And Martino named another Inter Miami player as the best on the night.
Tomas Aviles praised after Inter Miami clean sheet vs DC United
Speaking to ESPN after the 1-0 win, Martino highlighted Tomas Aviles as Inter Miami’s best player against DC United, with the Argentine youth international keeping a second consecutive clean sheet.
With Jordi Alba now back in the starting XI and Drake Callender starting to regain form between the sticks, Inter Miami have, in the past two games, looked like a real cohesive unit in terms of defending.
And Aviles’ performances have been at the heart of this upturn in form, with the 19-year-old center-back finally showing signs of his potential having endured a rough start to life at Inter Miami.
Martino said: “Tomas Aviles was the best player of the match against DC United. If these players find themselves in form, with confidence, secure, and understand the challenges of the five games after St. Louis, it’s clear that we’ll be able to survive Copa America.”
Aviles unlocking his potential will be massive for the Herons
Aviles is one of a number of talented youngsters on Inter Miami’s books, yet unlike Benjamin Cremaschi and Diego Gomez, it has taken some time for the Argentine defender to really look the part for the Herons.
However, the last two games have seen Aviles at his best for Inter Miami, with the return of Alba really bringing the best out of the 19-year-old defender at the back for Martino’s side.
And if the Argentine is now on course to unlock his potential, Inter Miami could have a huge asset in their squad in Aviles, who could be key to the Florida franchise keeping clean sheets during the summer.