Inter Miami is still undefeated since Lionel Messi‘s arrival, but the Herons were shut out by Nashville in Wednesday’s MLS matchup as the sides shared the points in a scoreless draw.
This marks the first time Inter Miami has failed to score in a game in which Messi has played.
It wasn’t for a lack of trying on the No. 10’s part, as he took seven shots and saw a late right-footed attempt thwarted by Nashville goalie Elliot Panicco.
But Nashville dug its heels in over the course of 90 minutes and fully deserved the result it walked away with.
Per usual, Messi attracted some A-list audience members to the crowd at DRV PNK Stadium.
Lionel Messi shoots against Nashville in the second half of Inter Miami’s game on Wednesday
It was a frustrating night for Messi as Miami failed to score for the first time since his arrival
Two of sports’ most famous Juniors, Griffey (left) and Mayweather, were on hand in Miami
Not only was FIFA president Gianni Infantino on hand to watch Inter Miami on Wednesday night in Miami, but Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. were also in attendance in South Florida.
In fact, Griffey appeared to be working. The Seattle Mariners icon was handling a camera on the pitch while wearing fluorescent vest, indicating that he was a working photographer on Wednesday night.
While the MLB Hall of Famer did not get to witness a signature Messi moment, it was an entertaining rematch of the Leagues Cup Final, in which Miami bested Nashville on penalties 11 days ago.
Nashville was without striker Sam Surridge and USA defender Walker Zimmerman, and spent most of the first half trying to frustrate Messi and Co.
It wasn’t until the halftime introduction of Hany Mukhtar that the visitors looked a bit like scoring themselves, though a crucial intervention from Kamal Miller poked the ball away from the German’s feet.
Mukhtar later slipped in Jacob Shaffelburg but the winger’s attempt was too close to Miami keeper Drake Callender, who parried away the shot.
The hosts dominated possession 70 percent to 30 percent but were not incredibly close to scoring.
Messi failed to convert a pair of close free kick attempts, and while he and his teammates managed to pick up some decent positions in the Nashville box, the end product was ultimately lacking.
While a point against a solid Nashville team is nothing to be embarrassed about, the team’s dreadful form before the arrivals of Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba mean that every MLS match is essentially a must-win.
Despite the team’s Leagues Cup win, it’s just 14th of 15 teams in the East and is still 10 points out of the last postseason spot with as many games to play.
The Herons face a tough trip to LAFC on Sunday.
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