Inter Miami won 3-2 over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, despite the fact that they did not have Lionel Messi on their roster. As a result of this victory, Inter Miami moved within six points of the playoff spots in Major League Soccer.
Messi was one of eight Inter Miami players who were away on international service, but Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s club proved their depth of talent by being unbeaten in all competitions for a total of 12 games despite Messi’s absence.
Despite the fact that they are aware they have little room for error, Miami’s night got off to a shaky start despite the fact that they are working hard to go up from their position at the bottom of the Eastern Conference before Messi joined the team.
Daniel Salloi scored after goalkeeper Drake Callender was unable to keep Felipe Gutierrez’s shot under control, and he was able to put the rebound in the back of the net.
The Ecuadorean attacker, Leonardo Campana, was brought to the ground by Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia as they competed for a high ball, which led to the awarding of a penalty to Miami in the 25th minute. The penalty was scored by Leonardo Campana.
Campana, in contrast to Messi, was not called up for this week’s South American World Cup qualifiers; yet, he proved to be decisive as he put the home team up 2-1 with a beautiful header from a cross by DeAndre Yedlin on the stroke of half-time. Messi was one of the players called up for this week’s qualifiers.
After the break, Campana came close to scoring a hat trick when he took a clever touch toward the goal from a low cross by Jordi Alba, but Melia made a great stop to prevent it.
Melia was in action to deny Nicolas Stefaneli following further outstanding work by Alba, who only recently resigned from duty with the Spanish national side. Alba’s retirement came shortly after Melia’s retirement.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets, who has played for Spain in the past, was responsible for Miami’s third goal. He took a quick free kick on the halfway line and sent Argentine forward Facundo Farias through the middle of the defense. This showed remarkable awareness on Busquets’ part.
Farias, one of a trio of new South American signings brought in to give some energy and talent to accompany the team’s experienced stars, showed wonderful control as he went in on goal and beat Melia with a brilliantly placed shot. Farias was one of three young South American acquisitions brought in to offer some enthusiasm and talent to accompany the team’s seasoned stars.
But with 12 minutes left to play, Alan Pulido scored his 13th goal in Major League Soccer for the season for Sporting. The Mexican pounced on a loose ball and then beat Callender with a clean finish to give Sporting a goal back.
The visitors were able to exert a significant amount of pressure in the game’s closing phases, particularly during the final seven minutes of stoppage time when a weary Miami team was trying to hang on.
But as a result of D.C. United’s scoreless draw at home against San Jose, Miami is now only six points behind the ninth-placed team in the East and has two games in hand. Wayne Rooney’s squad is currently in ninth place.
Later on Saturday, the champions of the Western Conference, Los Angeles FC, will play a road match against the third-place Portland Timbers.