Despite defending champion Inter Miami sitting several of its regulars including Lionel Messi, host Charlotte FC couldn’t take advantage, with both sides dueling to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.

Inter Miami (2-1-1, 7 points) had won back-to-back league matches, but played to their second consecutive scoreless draw after an identical scoreless stalemate at Nashville SC Wednesday in the first leg of their Round of 16 series of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Neither Messi nor Rodrigo De Paul made the trip, and 10 starters from Miami’s previous match, including goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, sat out Saturday as the club prepared for the decisive Champions Cup match with Nashville this upcoming Wednesday.

Charlotte (1-1-2, 5 points) played its full lineup, which carried it to a 3-1 win last weekend against Austin. But despite mustering 10 shots, including five on target, Charlotte could not find the mark against Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, who made his first start of the season and finished with five saves.

Inter Miami’s revamped lineup, which included Luis Suarez making his first start of the season and Sergio Reguilon, who recently recovered from a knee sprain.. But Miami also couldn’t get a ball past Charlotte keeper Kristijan Kahlina, who made three saves.

Ian Fray had one of Miami’s best chances in the 34th minute as he headed a ball right in front of Kahlina, who stretched and dove to his left and blocked the ball, denying Miami a score.

Liel Abada had a great chance of his own in the 44th minute, but Rios Novo was up to the task, stopping the quality chance.

The game was very chippy on both sides in the first half as the teams drew a combined five yellow cards, including three in the first half.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano was dealt a yellow card and a subsequent red card for arguing with officials in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. Mascherano will have to sit out Inter Miami’s next MLS match on March 22nd at NYCFC.

–Field Level Media