Messi Benched as 10-Man Inter Miami Beats Charlotte

Lionel Messi observed from the bench as 10-man Inter Miami hosted on Sunday for a 1-0 triumph over Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer.

Coach Javier Mascherano did not utilize the Argentine in a game where Miami spent much of the time on the back foot following the dismissal of goalie Oscar Ustari in the 38th minute. After missing last week’s 4-1 MLS game in Houston and then seeing the 2-0 triumph over Jamaica’s Cavalier in the CONCACAF Champions Cup first-leg encounter on Thursday, Messi marked the third consecutive game he failed to feature for Miami.

While his absence has disappointed supporters, Mascherano has stated he is handling the responsibilities of the 37-year-old World Cup winner; Miami has not suffered on the field.

Though they proved unable to turn their great possession into actual goal opportunities, Charlotte, under Englishman Dean Smith, the former manager of Aston Villa, was the better team throughout the match.

With former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha displaying flashes of his ability on the left wing and Israeli winger Liel Abada´s speed shown on the opposite wing, the visitors sent early signals of where their threats lay.

Miami was producing little; Ashley Westwood was guiding play in the middle of midfield for the North Carolina side, and Ustari was in trouble when he sprinted off his line and pulled down Zaha. The teams entered goalless before the break, but Miami struck with a nicely built goal in just seconds following the interval.

Back heeled to Luis Suarez, Tadeo Allende returned the ball with a chip the Argentine chested down and then buried into the bottom corner.