3 Observations from Inter Miami's Frustrating Draw vs. Charlotte FC
*Beyoncé voice*: Ring the Alarm!
photo credit: Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami draw their third straight match with a 1-1 stalemate against Charlotte FC.
In what was a rugged game versus an Eastern Conference rival, the Herons struggled for most of the 90 minutes, unable to crack through the middle of Charlotte’s defense.
Though Messi did get his moment of magic in the 68th minute, Miami’s tactical set-up during the night often looked redundant and extraordinarily predictable.
Endless switches of play to the flank, and aimless crosses that Charlotte’s center-backs were able to deal with, isn’t the typical style of play people are used to seeing from Inter Miami.
As the playoffs inch closer, some tweaks should be made to the team’s attacking setup to get the squad to flow better.
This game, alongside the Atlanta and NYCFC matches, should serve as a reminder: While Miami has the greatest player of all time, there are holes and weaknesses to be exploited by opposition teams elsewhere.
Here are three observations from Miami’s draw against Charlotte.
1.) Tomas Avilés, It’s Getting a Bit Much, Now…
It’s a day ending in ‘Y’ at this point. For the transfer fee Miami paid for Avilés, he should be doing better. Sure, he’s only 20 years old, but he’s old enough to be more disciplined.
Now, Miami has to go into Columbus with slim center-back options. It’ll likely be a Sergio Busquets, Noah Allen pairing.
2.) Subs Are A Little Too Slow
Although Tata Martino has his positives, a recurring criticism during his Inter Miami tenure has been his inability to make timely substitutions. Yes, integration of Matias Rojas back in the 60th minute was needed, but by the time the match ticked into the final minutes, the team looked visibility tired.
Jordi Alba, Diego Gomez, and many others were exhausted from the humidity and the physicality of Charlotte’s defense.
Had Tata brought on fresh legs about 20 minutes earlier than he did, Miami would’ve had the energy to push even harder to get the winner in the dying minutes.
Maybe it’s just a nitpicky thing, but it’s something that’s been the team’s Achilles heel throughout the season.
3.) Field Invaders, Maybe, The Biggest Talking Point
Lastly, result aside, there was a total of three pitch invaders on the night, one of which I managed to captured on video:
Thoughts on the match? Ultimately, Miami may just be going through a rough patch right now. Better in the regular season than the playoffs, aye?
Agreed.. especially too late on the subs. Way too hot and you could see the exhaustion. Hoping for something new to throw off the opposing teams ease of reading our stuff. Am very much disgusted by the pitch invaders and any parent letting their kid do so should be prosecuted. At the very least restraining orders, stadium ban, etc. Make it public, swift, and definitive to dissuade.
Is there a stat on closest to goal a player was when missing i may have uttered a wtf at hi volume . Suarez and the Goat left a couple almost certain goals on the table oh well hope improve for playoffs