Nashville SC was able to enjoy relative success against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Since signing one of the greatest soccer players ever in their midst, three games had passed without loss within 90 minutes against this side.
Nashville’s winning streak in CONCACAF Champions Cup matches is officially finished, and so begins their inaugural entry.
Nashville SC CONCACAF Champions Cup
Inter Miami eliminated Nashville from their first Intercontinental competition with an emphatic 3-1 win at Chase Stadium during their Round of 16 series last night, winning 5-3 on aggregate after playing to a draw last Thursday in Nashville in their initial leg matchup. Miami advanced to the quarterfinals by virtue of this dominant performance as they earned advancement to their quarterfinal tieup after drawing at home last Thursday for their opening leg contest 2-2 draw against Nashville last Thursday in Nashville’s first leg fixture.
Lionel Messi CONCACAF Champions Cup
Messi provided Luis Suarez of former Barcelona, his onetime club teammate in Nashville in the eighth minute and scored his third goal against Nashville within four games despite Sam Surridge scoring late. Suarez provided Robert Taylor with an inch-perfect pass in the 63rd minute that set up Robert Taylor to score, and the final half-hour was virtually over before Sam Surridge managed a stoppage-time goal against Nashville.
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC
Nashville’s bid for its inaugural trophy came to a halt once more when Inter Miami beat them 2-1 in last season’s U.S. Open Cup round of 16. Three months later, Lionel Messi captured his inaugural American trophy by triumphantly lifting the Leagues Cup at Geodis Park.
Nashville finds itself in an early two-goal hole.
Nashville isn’t used to facing multiple goals deficits – Messi’s 23rd-minute goal marked the first time it faced this predicament since August 26, 2023, during their 4 -0 loss against Atlanta United.
Locating the last instance where Nashville conceded two or more goals in an opening half is even tougher; to date, it back further is Toluca in the Leagues Cup group stage competition one month earlier.
Nashville had not trailed by two or more goals at any point during the first half since losing to New York City FC by 2-1 last April; that had been 37 competitive matches ago.
CONCACAF Champions Cup results
Nashville coach Gary Smith noted, “Inter Miami came out very fast in the opening 15 minutes and we weren’t able to contain them at all; that allowed them to gain momentum and eventually win this game.” “That made all the difference. They used that momentum against us!” he concluded.
Nashville Struggles to Confront Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez
With Walker Zimmerman out again after suffering a knee injury in his first leg matchup against Tottenham, Smith made changes to the back line: left-back Dan Lovitz was selected over centre-back Jack Maher for starting lineup duty, pairing alongside Lukas MacNaughton. At the same time, Taylor Washington and Shaq Moore took positions as fullbacks, respectively.
As Lovitz hit the crossbar with his volley nearing the end of the first half, Nashville was disorganized in their buildup, leading to Inter Miami’s three goals – Smith speculates this might have something to do with not having Zimmerman present to stabilize things further.
Nashville SC elimination match
“Walker is relied upon heavily,” Smith noted. “Tonight, our midfield exchanges looked uncertain, allowing Miami’s world-class stars to exploit them quickly.”
Zimmerman had what Smith described as a “non-invasive procedure” on Tuesday to treat his knee and is hopeful his injury won’t require three or four week’s absence, according to Smith.
Sam Surridge makes an impactful halftime substitution
After Messi doubled their advantage, Inter Miami decided to play more cautiously, giving Nashville more possession in wide areas but refusing to cede control of the midfield. Sam Surridge is quickly making an impression after coming on after the halftime substitution.
Gerardo Martino’s tactics proved highly successful as Smith fielded an 11 without an established striker in Nashville; Miami won most aerial duels during the first half.
Surridge entered the game after halftime to provide Nashville with another viable penalty box option after suffering shoulder damage during Moca FC’s CCC opener on February 22. At 6-foot-3 and playing just his second match since being injured at Moca, Surridge provided them with much greater access.
Surridge took three shots on goal in his half and scored his seventh goal from 18 matches with Nashville in the 93rd minute from Moore’s cross.
Also Read:
