The Herons made headlines in the afternoon and then suffered a beating on the pitch in the evening
Wednesday was the latest banner day of this Inter Miami era. Another one of Lionel Messi's friends is reportedly close to coming to town, and this particular one, Rodrigo De Paul, isn't just coming to play. He's known as Messi's bodyguard, a physical force that inspires fear in others and comfort in his teammates. He's also one hell of a footballer. Inter Miami have done well to navigate the rules to get him in – if it happens.
That was Wednesday afternoon, though. Wednesday night? Not a successful navigation of anything. In fact, Wednesday's clash was more of a sleepwalk, one that showed just how helpful someone like De Paul can be when he does inevitably arrive.
On the road in Cincinnati, Messi and Miami couldn't find any of their trademark magic in a 3-0 defeat. The Argentine was held scoreless for the first time in seven games, having scored 11 goals in that span. On Wednesday, he got close a few times, but never close enough. There were a few decent looks, a blocked shot, and a curled effort from range chief among them, but it was Cincinnati that made the most of their chances, not Messi and Miami.
The opening goal came relatively early, as the right side of Miami's defense collapsed under pressure from Luca Orellano. The Argentine was able to play through Gerardo Valenzuela, who made no mistake with his far-post finish to give the hosts an early advantage.
Cincy's advantage was doubled early in the second half in another instance of Miami's defensive frailty. defense was buzzed through by Cincy star Evander, who pushed off Sergio Busquets before slotting home to make it 2-0. Evander then made it three in the 70th minute, firing home from close range after backup goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, who came on after Oscar Ustari left with an apparent injury, parried a shot right into his path. On this night, it was that easy for him, and it was that hard for Miami to do anything right.
On a day when Miami seemingly got better, they suffered one of their worst defeats of the season. They'll have to move on quickly, too, with another game this weekend against the New York Red Bulls, and they'll surely be eager to get to it after such a rough night in Ohio.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from TQL Stadium…
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Oscar Ustari (N/A):
A rough break for the goalkeeper, and perhaps for Inter Miami. Forced out after just 25 minutes after making two saves, and Miami will now be sweating over the veteran goalkeeper's fitness.
Marcelo Weigandt (3/10):
Another game, another rough moment defensively for the fullback. Absolutely smoked by Luca Orellano on the Cincinnati opener, exposing his defense because of his inability to get anywhere near the Cincinnati wingback.
Tomas Aviles (4/10):
Not totally his fault, given the Weigandt moment that preceded it, but Aviles was also caught napping as Valenzuela breezed right by him. Saw a lot of the ball and passed well, but again, another moment of defensive weakness.
Maxi Falcon (4/10):
Wasn't particularly good and could have done much better on the third goal. Also struggled to win his duels as Cincy regularly got the best of him.
Jordi Alba (6/10):
Had a few pops from range, but otherwise wasn't able to do much going forward. Could have done a little better with a few crosses.
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Tadeo Allende (5/10):
Didn't see nearly enough of the ball, getting just 29 touches, three of which were in the box. Was taken out after the third goal, with the game all but gone.
Benja Cremaschi (6/10):
One of the only Miami players who actually came to play. Had several big tackles and, although he could have done better on the third Cincy goal, his fight and presence in midfield were notable.
Sergio Busquets (4/10):
Not influential on the ball and was bullied defensively on Evander's first goal. Just not good enough from the Barcelona icon.
Telasco Segovia (6/10):
Was actually pretty good when he got on the ball, but he was never really on it in any dangerous positions. Had exactly zero touches in the box and one pass into the final third, which shows just how withdrawn he was from the important moments.
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Lionel Messi (5/10):
Created a few dangerous moments, but this certainly wasn't Messi at his best. Off days happen, even to him, but it's tough when it happens to everyone else around him, too.
Luis Suarez (6/10):
If Miami were doing anything productive, it usually came from him. Created a few chances and did get one look on goal, providing some moments of danger.
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Rocco Rios Novo (4/10):
Admittedly, a tough spot to be put in off the bench, but he has to do better on Cincy's third, which he parried right into the path of Evander.
Gonzalo Lujan (6/10):
Essentially brought in as a form of concession shortly after Miami fell behind 3-0.
Fabrice Picault (6/10):
Replaced Allende to give him a rest for the final 15 or so minutes. Had a few touches.
Yannick Bright (N/A):
Given a few garbage minutes at the end.
Javier Mascherano (5/10):
Can't fault him too, too much in this one as Miami were undone by individual errors. Even so, Mascherano didn't put his team in a place to succeed, either, but things should change if De Paul arrives.