Inter Miami aims to end scoreless drought vs. Atlanta, Nguyen traded to New England
Mired in a three-game scoring drought, Inter Miami enters Wednesday’s home match against Atlanta United hungry for goals.
Despite taking 42 shots — 13 of them on goal — over the past three games, Miami has been unable to find the back of the net and sits in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-6-2 record.
The defense is doing its job, conceding just one goal over those three games and a total of 11 goals through nine matches this season. All six losses have been by a single goal. The midfield has generated plenty of offense.
Rodolfo Pizarro brings energy and creativity. Former Juventus stalwart and French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi showed in his debut on Sunday a tactical intelligence, passing accuracy and work rate that elevated the play of everyone around him.
Still, the team continued to sputter in the final third. Forward Julian Carranza scored a pair of goals against Orlando on Aug. 22 but has been otherwise inconsistent. In 54 minutes on Sunday, the young Argentine had 15 touches, six passes and one shot.
Matias Pellegrini, the team’s young Designated Player, has struggled of late and was not on the game roster Sunday.
Robbie Robinson, the No. 1 draft pick from Clemson, showed promise early in the season before the pandemic, was injured in the spring, and then fell behind after taking a six-week personal leave in July and early-August. He was impressive off the bench against Nashville on Sunday with 11 touches, four passes and three shots (two on goal) in 36 minutes.
Juan Agudelo moved from forward to left wing for the Nashville game and was involved in the buildup of several scoring chances. He said: “As an experienced players, you see these (droughts) happen, and once you get that first goal or second goal, the floodgates really start to open. What is encouraging is we are creating those opportunities.”
Coach Diego Alonso said the team’s confidence has been affected by the scoring woes, and that the club is in the process of trying to sign a player who should address the team weakness. Argentine veteran Gonzalo Higuain, who was Matuidi’s teammate at Juventus, is in advanced negotiations with Miami. His brother, Nicolas, who also serves as his agent, reportedly was in Italy Tuesday working out Gonzalo’s exit terms.
Lee Nguyen traded
In another roster move, Inter Miami on Tuesday traded veteran midfielder Lee Nguyen to the New England Revolution, where he played from 2012-18. Alonso said it was a “strategic” move, that Nguyen wanted more minutes, and will have more opportunities with New England. In exchange, Miami got a 2021 fourth-round draft pick and $50,000 in performance-based General Allocation Money.
Nguyen posted a heartfelt farewell on Twitter, which said: “This club has a very bright future and I can’t wait to see it grow. Wishing my (Inter Miami) family all the best going forward. TY.”
“We want to thank Lee for his contributions to the team during our inaugural season and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Inter Miami chief operating officer Paul McDonough. “This trade provides us with salary flexibility for this and next year, as we continue to solidify ouro roster.”
Nguyen, 33, is one of the most productive and beloved players in Revulotion history. He scored 51 goals with 49 assists in 191 games there.
“Lee Nguyen is a player with a proven history in our league, his ability as both a playmaker and goal scorer will complement our roster,” said New England sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena. “We are excited to have Lee return to our club and city.”
Alexi Lalas’ take on Inter Miami
Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas has been watching Inter Miami all season, is impressed with Pizarro and Matuidi, and feels a reliable striker would transform the team.
“I think it’s obvious that Miami is missing a striker who compliments Pizarro and who the opposition actually has to worry about,” Lalas said by phone Monday. “They also need a playmaker that can control the center midfield rhythm and take the pressure off Pizarro from dropping back too far. Miami have only scored six goals and every game they have lost has been by a 1-goal margin. Goals relieve pressure, open space and enable teams/players to play with more freedom and confidence.
“I have yet to see this team really play unburdened and unbridled. I think when we finally do, we will see the team’s true personality.”
Lalas had nothing but good things to say about Pizarro and Matuidi.
“I think Pizarro is a wonderful player. He’s kind of a lovable rogue. He’s rugged, dogged and full of energy and guile…exactly what MLS needs and demands. Matuidi is going to have a more understated impact. His contribution won’t be sexy or show up in the highlights or on the score sheet, but it will be invaluable. He’ll be a connector and calming presence in the deep midfield.”
Wednesday’s game between Miami and Atlanta (3-4-2) makes up for the Aug. 26 match which was postponed due to a Black Lives Matter boycott. It will be shown on My33.
The game features a matchup between Pizarro and two Mexican countrymen, Jürgen Damm and Érick “El Cubo” Torres. He was Damm’s teammate at Pachuca from 2013 to 2015, including a period under current Inter Miami coach Alonso from 2014 to 2015.
Pizarro and Torres have played 10 games together for the Mexican National Team and are friends
Inter Miami defender Nicolás Figal will also be facing a former teammate, Atlanta’s Ezequiel Barco. They played together at Argentine top-division team Club Atlético Independiente from 2016 to 2018.
Miami’s next game is on the road Saturday at Orlando City (7:30 p.m., CBS-4). The rest of the MLS schedule is expected to be announced later this week.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 2:46 PM.