FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 20 (UPI) — Inter Miami displayed dominance on Wednesday, extending its unbeaten streak to 12 games while fielding Lionel Messi. However, this victory was bittersweet as the Argentine player aggravated an existing leg injury and had to exit the match.
Messi, who showed signs of discomfort in his right leg, left the game in the 37th minute of the 4-0 win at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Manager Tata Martino stated that the injury is not considered major.
“He had been dealing with an old injury from his national team matches,” said Martino during the postgame press conference.
“We didn’t see any muscle injury, so we decided to take him off as a precaution.”
Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba also withdrew from the game early due to an apparent injury. Martino attributed Messi and Alba’s early exits to fatigue and stated that they would undergo evaluation during the week.
The team’s record stands at 11-0-1 with Messi in the lineup. However, their climb from the bottom of the MLS standings and into playoff contention could face challenges if their star striker misses more playing time.
With this victory, the Herons improved their MLS play record to 9-15-4 and climbed to No. 13 in the Eastern Conference standings, with six regular-season games remaining. The top nine teams in each conference advance to the postseason.
Replacing Messi, striker Robert Taylor scored twice and contributed an assist in the win. Benjamin Cremaschi and Facundo Farias also found the back of the net for the Herons, with Cremaschi and Noah Allen providing the assists.
“We sometimes have to play without Messi and Alba, so it’s crucial for the rest of us to step up,” Taylor said.
Messi attempted three shots before his departure, while Herons striker Josef Martinez threatened early on but couldn’t convert. Reds striker Deandre Kerr also had several close attempts, with one hitting the right post.
Within the first five minutes after Kerr’s shot, Messi took aim from about 20 yards out, but Reds goalie Tomas Romero denied his attempt.
A few minutes later, Messi’s volley went over the net at the near post. It was then that his ailment slowed him down, and he eventually limped off the field.
Farias broke the deadlock in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a cross from Noah Allen. Romero initially deflected the ball, but Farias volleyed it into the right side of the net.
Taylor doubled the Herons’ lead in the 54th minute, receiving a pass from Allen inside the box. Taylor maneuvered away from defenders and scored with an 18-yard shot to the far post.
Cremaschi added a third goal for the Herons in the 73rd minute, following a pass from Taylor. He finished off the play by placing a shot inside the left side of the net.
Cremaschi went on to assist the final goal of the match, chipping a pass for Taylor, who confidently struck the ball into the top of the net.
The Herons’ next MLS match is against Orlando City on Sunday in Orlando, Fla. They will also compete against the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final on September 27 in Fort Lauderdale.
With 31 points, the Herons are currently five points behind DC United (36), which holds the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
