Inter Miami Player Ratings Against Nashville SC: Herons Struggle with Playoff Demons
Inter Miami faced a disappointing defeat against Nashville SC, losing 2–1 in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Herons came into this match at GEODIS Park needing just one victory to advance in the MLS Cup playoffs. They had previously triumphed over Nashville with a strong 3–1 performance in Game 1. However, two first-half goals from Nashville’s Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer left Miami struggling to respond.
Key Events from the Match
The match began dramatically, with Nashville taking the lead in the 6th minute. After a controversial penalty decision following a foul by goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, Surridge confidently converted to make it 1–0. The second goal came just before halftime when Bauer capitalized on a defensive mix-up by the Herons, doubling Nashville’s advantage.
Despite a late attempt to stage a comeback, highlighted by a stunning strike from Lionel Messi in the 89th minute, Inter Miami could not equalize. Historical trends seem to echo the current situation, as the Herons previously lost in a similar fashion during last year’s playoffs after winning the first game.
Player Ratings
Here are the player ratings for Inter Miami’s performance against Nashville SC:
| Player | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rocco Ríos Novo (GK) | 6.0 | Made an early error that put the team at a disadvantage. |
| Ian Fray (RB) | 6.8 | Won most duels, but his contributions were limited. |
| Maximiliano Falcón (CB) | 7.3 | Struggled at times and needed assistance from teammates. |
| Noah Allen (CB) | 6.3 | Substituted at halftime; failed to make defensive impacts. |
| Jordi Alba (LB) | 7.0 | Created several chances and was a standout player. |
| Tadeo Allende (RM) | 6.3 | Missed opportunities and struggled with finishing. |
| Rodrigo De Paul (CM) | 7.6 | Had little support but tried to manage midfield control. |
| Sergio Busquets (CM) | 7.3 | Played defensively to support the backline. |
| Baltasar Rodríguez (LM) | 6.1 | Limited impact during his time on the field. |
| Lionel Messi (ST) | 7.6 | Quiet for most of the game but scored late. |
| Luis Suárez (ST) | 6.4 | Had multiple chances but could not find the net. |
Upcoming Challenges for Inter Miami
Inter Miami’s next match will come swiftly, as they look to reverse their misfortunes. The pressure will be immense on Messi and the squad to perform better in their upcoming playoff game. They must learn from their past mistakes to secure a place in the next round and not repeat the patterns of their previous postseason experience.
