Inter Miami had won just once in their last four, but Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba made sure that skid didn’t hit four straight, leading an emphatic 3-1 win over the Seattle Sounders. Billed as a Leagues Cup final rematch from two weeks ago, the Herons looked intent on sending a message after being blanked in back-to-back games for the first time with Messi on the squad.
Under-fire manager Javier Mascherano deserves his share of credit for this result, as the Argentine made a tactical shift from his favored 4-4-2 formation to a 4-3-3. He also moved up Alba from his preferred left back position to left wing. Both moves paid off immediately.
With Alba focusing largely on attack, he was able to dictate more in attack, and within 12 minutes, Miami got on the scoresheet as a result. Cristian Roldan was forced off possession by Yannick Bright, who immediately fed the ball to Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner found the veteran Spaniard charging toward the goal and connected with him on a killer pass. Alba finished with ease to put Miami up 1-0.
Miami would have more opportunities to pad their lead, but couldn't capitalize early on. Messi beat two defenders in the box and had a wide-open net, but hit the crossbar in the 26th minute. He would more than make up for that moments later. Rodrigo De Paul, playing in his preferred central midfield position, broke up a play by Seattle to launch another attack in transition, and this time Alba would return the favor to Messi, finding the Argentine in the box. This time it was a typical finish from the former Barcelona star as he doubled the Herons' advantage in the 42nd minute. Paul Rothrock had a big opportunity to cut into the lead in the dying seconds of extra time but he was soundly blocked by Oscar Ustari by the near post.
The home side would continue its onslaught in the second half. De Paul launched a perfect corner kick into the head of Ian Fray in front of goal to push advantage to 3-0 – the exact scoreline Seattle beat them in the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 31. Seattle would have other chances to narrow Miami's advantage but couldn't execute. Osaze De Rosario had a one v one on the break against Ustari, but his shot went left and hit the post. Obed Vargas launched a rocket that Ustari also denied. However, the introduction of U.S. international Jordan Morris breathed new life into Seattle.
The American cut inside the box from the right-hand side and saw Vargas open in space, and passed it out to him. The Mexico international blasted a shot past Ustari to cut the deficit to 3-1. Yet, Miami would bunker down after that attempt and ultimately hold on for the win.
With the win, Miami jump to fifth in the Eastern Conference and have three games in hand.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium…
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGoalkeeper & Defense
Oscar Ustari (8/10):
The veteran keeper was brilliant at times, denying several near scoring opportunities from Seattle. Not much he could have done with Seattle's goal, and it is likely Seattle would have split the share of points if he wasn't at the peak of his powers Tuesday.
Noah Allen (6/10):
The defender was solid in the first half, but made some costly coverage mistakes, including getting beat by Morris for the visitor's goal.
Maxi Falcon (6/10):
Incredibly accurate with passing, evidenced by connecting at x percent. Made some careless decisions on the ball and almost cost his team another goal. Overall, strong in the air and made three clearances on the night.
Gonzalo Lujan (5/10):
Miami's weak link on defense, he was closest to Vargas when he scored, and didn't impact much on the backend – at least according to the stats, which indicate not having a single tackle in the contest.
Ian Fray (8/10):
Almost had a brace in the contest as he should have scored on a wide-open shot fed to him by Messi. More than made up for it in the second half, where he scored a perfect header off of De Paul's assist.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Rodrigo De Paul (8/10):
Looked way more comfortable playing centrally and was his typical combative self – in a good way. Created three dangerous opportunities on corners and had seven (!) accurate long-balls on the evening and had three killer passes. Mascherano needs to stick with RDP in this role.
Sergio Busquets (6/10):
Was neat and tidy on the ball, but didn't impact much otherwise. However, Miami will take that level of performance, especially considering he didn't have to do much defensively with De Paul and Yannick Bright providing cover.
Yannick Bright (7/10):
A good bounce-back performance after a mistake-prone one against Charlotte. Didn't offer much on attack, but was an absolute anchor on defense, leading the team with five tackles.
Getty Images SportAttack
Jordi Alba (9/10):
Could left wing be in Alba's future? In MLS, it just might be – that's how good he was against Seattle. He scored, had an assist, connected on two killer passes, and was providing incisive play all evening. Miami have lacked players who can penetrate from out-wide all-season. On Tuesday, Alba provided a glimpse of why he might be a solution there.
Lionel Messi (8/10):
He still doesn't look 100 percent, as he's lacking some of the explosion and quick finishing that fans are accustomed to. He had at least three chances that he should and would normally score, even at the beginning of the season. Still, Messi is Messi, and being at 80 percent is better than everyone in MLS. His superior vision was on display throughout the 90 minutes he played, and he finished his chance from Alba with ease. This was encouraging from a player who has struggled recently.
Tadeo Allende (7/10):
Allende's performance doesn't immediately jump off the page, but he made several strong link-up moves to keep Miami's attack fluid.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Marcelo Weigandt (5/10):
Continues to be largely more of concern than help on defense. Fortunately didn't have any major miscues in this contest.
Mateo Silvetti (NA):
Miami's deadline day signing finally made his debut. The highly-regarded Argentine teen showed flashes but didn't have time to make an impact, coming in the 81st minute.
Manager (7/10):
Mascherano has gotten his fair share of criticism for being tactically inflexible, so it was borderline shocking to see him make several tweaks to get Miami back on track. The first was Alba, but then also allowing Messi to play as a drifting forward in the front three also served the team well. Finally, going with a three-man central midfield benefited all three players and helped De Paul produce one of his best nights of the season. The only issue that still remains is fatigue management. Mascherano continues to be reluctant to rotate and sub off players, and some of that exhaustion played a role in the goal conceded. Also, within the final 10 minutes, it's hard to understand not pulling off Alba and Messi to rest considering the run of games Miami have left.