Lionel Messi scored his latest sublime goal to earn Inter Miami a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Charlotte in the MLS – but manager Gerardo Martino was questioned over whether the striker’s return has made his side worse as the Eastern Conference leaders’ worst run since March continued.
Miami’s third consecutive draw means they have won one of their four games since Messi’s return following an absence of almost four months, having won eight of their nine matches without the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“The reality is that we have to modify the system and… that always represents a challenge,” Martino replied when he was asked about Messi’s impact on Miami’s tactics.
“Above all, it is trying to do it in key moments of the season. If we drew a game last season, nobody was going to complain.”
MESSI. BANGER. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/84VIwmBOF3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 29, 2024
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Messi goal vs Charlotte
Messi’s side dominated possession and had eight of the 10 shots on target but fell behind when Karol Swiderski reacted quickest from close range for Charlotte, who are 23 points behind them and managed by former Premier League boss Dean Smith.
The 37-year-old equalised 10 minutes later with his 17th club goal in 19 appearances in all competitions, curling in a precise low shot from well outside the penalty area.
Argentina captain Messi was responsible for 10 of Miami’s 20 efforts, while Luis Suarez contrived to send a finish over the bar from almost on the line late on.
Miami thought they had been given a golden opportunity to take the lead when defender Adilson Malanda was initially sent off and adjudged to have conceded a penalty for a challenge on Diego Gomez, only for the decision to be overturned following a VAR check
Intentional or not? 🤔
Karol Swiderski flicks it in to put @CharlotteFC on top of Inter Miami. pic.twitter.com/xLeU83DKdm
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 29, 2024
Inter Miami ‘frustrated’
With second-placed Columbus Crew held 2-2 at DC United, victory would have put Miami on the brink of winning the Supporters’ Shield for earning the most points during the regular season.
Columbus host Miami on Wednesday (7.30pm ET), when defeat would mean they cannot catch the leaders. Should Miami lose, Martino’s team may need to win their final two games – at Toronto on October 5 (4pm) and at home to New England Revolution on October 19 (6pm) – to finish top.
“We are frustrated by three draws in a row,” said Martino. “It’s a shame not to have been able to have taken advantage of Columbus’ draw.
Full time. pic.twitter.com/ecM9qaSUnI
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 29, 2024
“It was a game in which we needed to score first. Had we done so, it would surely have been a different game. The ones in Toronto and New England will also be important and decisive.
“I wish this were a 34-date tournament and the team that scores the most points would be the champions. Then this would be fabulous and we would look positively towards being the best team of the regular phase.”
Miami must win all three games to reach 74 points and break the 73-point record set by New England in 2021. The Revolution are second-bottom, while Toronto are six points above them in eighth.
The MLS play-offs start on October 26.
