An early second-half goal by midfielder Tadeo Allende was all host Inter Miami needed to overcome the odds and secure a 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Sunday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami (2-0-1, 7 points) picked up its second victory of the MLS season despite the absence once again of superstar Lionel Messi and the loss of starting goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who drew a red card in the 38th minute of the match.
Despite playing one player short for the remainder of the contest, Miami secured three valuable points thanks to a heads-up strike to open the second half.
Allende scored a goal for the fourth consecutive match, counting the team’s CONCACAF Champions Cup competitions. In the first minute of the second half, Allende took a deep ball from Gonzalo Lujan, who moved to the center back position to start the second half. Allende then back-heeled the ball to Luis Suarez, who was trailing the play. Suarez then looped it right back to Allende as he surged into the 18-yard box, who then chested it and quickly fired a shot past Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
Inter Miami’s short-handed defense did the rest led by defender Yannick Bright, who broke up several potential scoring chances.
Ustari was dealt the red card when he impeded Charlotte forward Wilfried Zaha on a breakaway as he surged toward the box.
The decision put Inter Miami in a bind at the keeper position as third-stringer Rocco Rios Novo entered the game with Drake Callender unavailable as he is still dealing with an adductor injury.
Inter Miami is the first team to draw a red card in three consecutive MLS matches since NYCFC in 2021. Miami’s defense was up to the task, however, and made sure Rios Novo never had to make a save.
Charlotte (1-1-1, 4 points) mustered its best opportunity in the 79th minute when Patrick Agyemang gained possession near the sideline and fed the ball to a surging Iuri Tavares, who found Idan
Toklomati open near the goal. He crossed it past Rios Novo, but it glanced off the far post.
As a result of the red card, Ustari will have to sit out Inter Miami’s next MLS match next Sunday at Atlanta United.
–Field Level Media
