Inter Miami secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC at Chase Stadium, despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari's red card threatened to derail their performance, but Tadeo Allende's early second-half strike proved decisive as the Herons moved up to second in the Eastern Conference.
The match began with Inter Miami showing early intent, as Benjamin Cremaschi tested Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina with a tame effort. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 38th minute when Ustari raced off his line and brought down Wilfried Zaha outside the penalty area. The referee immediately showed the Argentine shot-stopper a red card, leaving Miami with a numerical disadvantage.
Despite Charlotte's control over possession, they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Their best opportunity in the first half came when Israeli winger Liel Abada burst down the right, but his cross was well defended. Miami managed to hold firm until the break, heading into halftime with the score still level.
Just 17 seconds into the second half, Inter Miami struck with a moment of brilliance. Allende and Luis Suarez combined beautifully in a one-two, with the veteran Uruguayan lofting a delicate chip over the Charlotte defence. Allende controlled the ball with his chest before finishing coolly into the bottom right corner, sending the home crowd into celebration.
With a man down, Miami opted for a defensive approach, sitting deep and absorbing pressure. Charlotte ramped up their attack, with Patrick Agyemang coming close with a glancing header that narrowly missed the target. Substitute Idan Gorno also had a golden chance, but his effort struck the post, denying the visitors an equaliser.
Javier Mascherano’s side showed resilience in defence, with Yannick Bright playing a crucial role in preserving the clean sheet. The Italian midfielder won a team-high five tackles, while Gonzalo Lujan made nine clearances, the most in the match. Miami's defensive discipline frustrated Charlotte, who failed to register a single shot on target.
Notably, Lionel Messi was an unused substitute for the third consecutive game. The 37-year-old World Cup winner was included in the matchday squad but was not called upon by Mascherano, who is carefully managing his workload. While fans eagerly anticipated his return, Miami proved they could win without their star player.
Charlotte, coached by former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Ashley Westwood dictated play from midfield, and Zaha was lively on the left flank, yet their efforts failed to break down Miami’s disciplined backline.
This win extends Miami’s unbeaten start to the season, although it highlights their growing disciplinary issues. The Herons have now received three red cards in as many MLS matches, with Tomas Aviles and Ian Fray previously sent off. Mascherano, known for his aggressive playing style, seems to have instilled a similar mentality in his squad.
As the final whistle blew, Miami celebrated a crucial three points, while Charlotte was left to rue missed opportunities. With Messi expected to return soon, the Herons will look to build on this momentum and continue their strong start to the MLS season.
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