Messi watches from suite as Inter Miami rallies for a 2-2 tie against Charlotte FC
Inter Miami fans battled rush hour gridlock to reach DRV PNK Stadium Wednesday night for a rescheduled game against Charlotte FC; but it is safe to say nobody had a longer commute than Lionel Messi, who flew 2,600 miles from Peru less than 24 hours after scoring both Argentina goals in a World Cup qualifying win.
Understandably not on the roster after the long trip, Messi watched from a field-level suite as his teammates rallied late to secure a 2-2 tie.
He said Tuesday night that he intends to play in the season finale on the road Saturday in a rematch against Charlotte. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said he will confer with Messi after training Thursday and see if he will be available for the final game.
“I saw Leo’s interview, saw what he said, but I just had time to say hello to him [Wednesday] and we have not had time to talk,” Martino said. “The most important thing is the 90 minutes he played [for Argentina], that he felt well and played confidently and not worried about his injury. Sometimes your head plays games with you after injuries. Thursday we will see if he is also ready to play Saturday.”
Although Inter Miami had already been eliminated from the playoff race, the team was motivated to play well in its home finale Wednesday in front of Messi and co-owner David Beckham and turn the tide after a five-game winless streak.
They didn’t get a victory, but an 84th-minute goal from close range by substitute Robbie Robinson prevented a third loss in a row heading into the season finale.
Martino said he was pleased that his team, with little to play for, had the attitude to play even against a Charlotte team that was still fighting for a playoff spot. He said the best news of the night was the return of Brazilian midfielder and captain Gregore, who played for the first time in seven months since a foot injury that required surgery.
“Gregore played an hour with intensity, partnered well with [Sergio] Busquets, so looking ahead to next season, having Gregore back was the best news for us,” Martino said.
Robinson, who was injury-plagued the past few seasons and missed the past few months with a hamstring injury, entered the game in the 73rd minute, replacing Nico Stefanelli, who scored Miami’s first goal. Leo Campana, returning from a hamstring injury of his own, sent in a deep cross from the right side and a sprinting Robinson got the pass just in time and volleyed his shot inside the far post.
Robinson had an opportunity to give Miami the lead, and possibly the win, on a breakaway in added time, but his shot was saved.
Martino said he would use the final two games this week to evaluate players who missed long stretches due to injury as he begins planning for 2024. Robinson and Stefanelli are two of those players, and both managed to find the back of the net when nobody else could.
Stefanelli appeared to score his second goal of the night midway through the second half but was caught offside.
Miami dominated possession in the first half, and showed fighting spirit after Charlotte took the lead in the 45th minute on an Enzo Copetti header that went off the fingertips of Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender. Kerwin Vargas delivered the long cross for Copetti’s goal and they celebrated near the corner flag while the dejected Miami players looked on.
Just when it appeared Inter Miami would head to the locker room trailing 1-0, Argentine winger Nico Stefanelli equalized on a deep angled left-footed shot on a cross from Tomas Aviles.
Vargas regained the lead for Charlotte in the 52nd minute, as Miami was exposed on the counterattack.
Miami left back Noah Allen had a breakaway and found himself in a one-on-one situation with a great chance to put Miami ahead, but his left-footed shot was blocked by Kristijian Kahlina.
Miami got a boost from the return of a few injured key players.
Ecuadorean forward Campana was back in the starting lineup after a hamstring injury that kept him on the sideline much of October.
The rest of the starting lineup was: Facundo Farias, Stefanelli, Diego Gomez, Sergio Busquets, Allen, Kamal Miller, Tomas Aviles, DeAndre Yedlin and Callender.
Left back Jordi Alba was on the game roster for the first time since leaving the Toronto game Sept. 20 with a hamstring strain. He missed five games and was on the bench for the start of Wednesday’s match before entering the game at the 60-minute mark.
This story was originally published October 18, 2023 at 11:06 PM.