When Lionel Messi is on the field, you can basically spot Inter Miami a multiple-goal lead. That’s the power of the Argentine; as long as he’s playing, goals are essentially guaranteed.
Saturday’s clash with the New England Revolution was another reminder of that fact. Messi scored two goals and assisted another in the 4-1 win, taking his total to 16 goals and assists in just seven MLS matches. It also marked the fifth consecutive match that Messi contributed to at least two goals. Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suarez joined him on the scoresheet, but, make no mistake, this was all about Messi again.
On Saturday, Miami conceded first, after an early mishap from Drake Callender allowed Tomas Chancalay a first-minute finish, putting Miami up against it immediately.
Making matters worse? Messi was without several key running mates. Inter Miami’s injury crisis has left this team shorthanded, with stars like Jordi Alba and Diego Gomez out. Suarez, meanwhile, was left on the bench until the second half to avoid the Revolution’s turf field, leaving Miami without their superstar striker for much of the match.
With Messi out there, does it even matter who is or isn’t with him? He’s a one-man attack and a one-man goalscoring machine. On Saturday, he issued yet another reminder of a lesson that many have already learned: you can’t stop Inter Miami; you can only hope to contain them.
GOAL rates Inter Miami’s players from Gillette Stadium…
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Goalkeeper & Defense
Drake Callender (4/10):
What was he thinking on that opening-minute goal? His defenders had it handled, and Callender’s decision to come out for no real reason could have cost his team points on a different day.
Franco Negri (6/10):
A decent game on the left. He’s no Jordi Alba in the attack, but who is? Defensively, did just fine.
Nicolas Freire (5/10):
His giveaway led to the early goal, but you can’t really fault him for Callender’s decision. Still, a centerback can’t afford to misplace passes in their own half.
Tomas Aviles (6/10):
His passing was good and did some decent work defensively. No complaints.
Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):
Tends to get forward, but never really knows what to do once that happens. Solid, but not really spectacular in any way.
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Midfield
David Ruiz (7/10):
Passing was good and did the dirty work defensively that he’ll have to do in this midfield trio. Exactly the type of game they need from him in this team.
Sergio Busquets (8/10):
Busquets to Messi… where have we seen that before? Just so good technically and mentally, Busquets continues to elevate the Miami midfield.
Julian Gressel (6/10):
Not his most creative game, but not a bad one, either. Only one chance created, which is a slow day for him.
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Attack
Robert Taylor (8/10):
He’s been out recently due to injury, but this match showed how important he is to this team. His assist on Messi’s first was fantastic and, even aside from that, the Finnish star was great all night long.
Leo Campana (6/10):
Didn’t really convince in this big chance, although he too is coming back from injury. It’s not like he’s going to replace Suarez, but Campana was a bit too quiet overall.
Lionel Messi (9/10):
What else can you say at this point? The two goals were wildly similar, showing just how much smarter Messi is than everyone else on the field. The assist, too, was sublime. You just can’t stop him.
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Subs & Manager
Luis Suarez (8/10):
A risky move to bring him on early in the second half, but he got his goal to make sure that it was worth it.
Benjamin Cremaschi (8/10):
A massive goal for a young player just returning from injury. Cremaschi is back, and the Miami midfield is much better for it.
Matias Rojas (7/10):
Talk about a good first impression! Rojas’ effort directly opened the door for Cremaschi’s goal. Can’t ask for more than that off the bench.
Tata Martino (7/10):
Took a few risks with his XI, but everything paid off. Any time you can cruise to a road win in MLS, you did something right!
