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Inter Miami CF vs Colorado Rapids
In league play it's been drop points and then you have the Champions Cup defeat in the first leg to Monterrey that has been the problem for Inter Miami CF. The big facto was having Lionel Messi out of the lineup due to injury. The big question continues to be how will this team figure out to succeed without the world cup winner. Messi returns to the lineup after a couple of games and to face the Colorado Rapids who are trying to improve after being one of the worst teams in the league last season.
Lionel Messi along with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba would all start from the bench against Colorado as Tata Martino plays some young players in the lineup. Both teams defended greatly in the first 45 minutes with Miami's only chances coming from Julian Gressel and Tomas Aviles. For the first time this season, Benjamin Cremaschi would be involved in a Miami squad convocation after suffering an injury during preseason.
The deadlock would break in the 45th minute right before halftime as the Miami defense continues to be the main weak point for the squad. The Herons conceded a penalty in favor of the Rapids as Rafael Navarro would step up to the spot and drill the shot to make it 1-0. Colorado would head into the dressing room enjoying the one goal lead.
Lawson Sunderland would make way in the second half for Messi as Miami desperately searched for someone to create something offensively to be able to get on the scoreboard. Franco Negri would find Messi at the top of the box unmarked who hit a shot first time hitting off the post and in to equalize 1-1 in the 58th minute. Just 15 minutes later it was Leo Afonso who was signed from the academy would get his first goal giving Miami the lead 2-1.
The 88th minute would provide an equalizer from Colorado with midfielder Cole Bassett getting the goal to make it 2-2. The match would remain tied to the final whistle and both teams would share the points with this being more of a victory for the Rapids. This is a game that Miami should've won when you look at the match statistics.
Next up for Inter Miami CF is the second leg of the Champions Cup against Monterrey on the road.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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