Inter Miami have booked their place in the Leagues Cup semifinal after defeating Charlotte FC 4-0 Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Securing their first clean sheet in the Lionel Messi era of the club, Tata Martino's adjustments worked after allowing FC Dallas to score four goals in their last match. While Miami didn't grab the lead within ten minutes for the first time in their last three matches, a goal from the penalty spot saw Josef Martinez open the scoring for the club 12 minutes in. From there, the Herons were off and running with Messi's supporting cast getting the job done. Charlotte's defense did as well as they could to keep things contained but one can only hope to contain Miami, not stop them.
Robert Taylor added to the lead to get things rolling into the half before Charlotte's good work was undone for an own goal by Adilson Malanda. Not to be left out, Messi would get his eighth goal for the club before regulation was up via an assist from Leonardo Campana as the Herons stayed perfect since his arrival.
Next up, they'll play the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, Aug. 15, in Chester. Games are beginning to add up as Messi started his third game in nine days and there won't be much of a rest with their semifinal match only four days. But with the depth that is being built around Messi, the Herons have been able to adjust.
Robert Taylor has four goals and four assists since Messi's arrival, Martinez has scored two penalties, Benjamin Cremaschi has changed the game from the bench and Campana has been able to shift things when he enters from the bench. Add that to Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba gelling and it gives the team a formidable base.
Things will be different against the Union, who have one of the best defenses in MLS, but the Union could be without Daniel Gazdag giving Miami more of a chance to get to their first cup final in club history.
Charlotte played some of the best defense on Messi so far during this tournament and still conceded four goals showing just how tough it is to truly stop Inter Miami with Messi. Only registering one official goal involvement, it was a quiet night by Messi's standards but with his third start in only nine days he was still able to score and lead the team to a victory.
Messi has continued to score in every appearance for the club as Campana assisted him wide open in the box. Charlotte were sleepwalking and all of Miami is partying as Messi has his eighth goal in Leagues Cup play likely wrapping up the competition Golden Boot.
That's probably it as Messi tried to play Campana in but instead, Adilson Malanda played the ball into his own net for the insurance goal for the Herons. it was a great finish had it been on the right net but everything breaks right for the Herons.
Entering the hydration break David Ruiz and Diego Gomez have entered for Benjamin Cremaschi and Robert Taylor. It has been a struggle for Miami during the match but time is their friend as the match is now in the 75th minute and they can close it out with their first clean sheet of the tournament.
55 minutes into the match. Swiderski took a chance from outside the box but it wasn't a hard stop for the Miami keeper. It has been better in the second half for Charlotte but they still don't seem comfortable at all.
They were passive during the first half but are trying to play on the front foot because if Miami gets a third goal, this match is likely over. Miami aren't going to beat themselves at this stage but Charlotte may not have the talent to win the match either.
Charlotte has done the best that they can to contain Messi and Miami are still ahead 2-0 in the 40th minute. This shows Miami's growth as Messi's supporting cast is critical to the team winning this tournament. The first few games saw dominant performances from Messi but now he's able to draw pressure while the team plays passes into space around him.
That's why Charlotte had to take their chances because Miami are now ahead by two goals in the 32nd minute after Robert Taylor cut through the defense to break down everything that Charlotte has done well.
Flooding the midfield, Charlotte are keeping Miami pinned back so they could need a special moment to score another goal. It's not hard to register special moments with Lionel Messi leading the attack though. 27 mintues into the half, this is the lowest scoring match Miami has played in since Messi has started.
You have to take those chances against Miami as Jozwiak lost the ball in a great possession. Charlotte's defense has been great at getting interceptions but they haven't made them count in the early going.
Another match, another early lead for Miami. Two fouls for Charlotte lead to the chance and Martinez took it with confidence to put the Herons ahead in the 11th minute. Miami leads early yet again!
After calling for a hand ball in the box the Herons draw an actual penalty for a foul on Arroyo in the box and there will be a chance for the Herons to score in the 10th minute of the match. Josef Martinez will take it.
Heavy touches are plaguing Martinez early as he has been involved in Miami coming out of the gates strong. It's electric in DRV PNK Stadium as the Herons look to lead within the first ten minutes for the third straight game.
The Herons will look to keep their hot form going but the defense has to show up because Charlotte can put the ball in the back of the net.
Starters: Kahlina, Afful, Privett, Malanda, Lindsey, Westwood, Bender, Bronico, Arfield, Jozwiak, Swiderski
Starters: Callender, Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Alba, Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi, Messi, Martinez, Taylor
Another game and more goals from Messi as Inter Miami win another thrilling match but Charlotte will still find a way to hit the back of the net. Pick: Inter Miami 4, Charlotte FC 2
Only scoring a penalty during the tournament so far, it wouldn't have been surprising to see Martinez benched for Leonardo Campana but the standard front three was kept intact. It will be an important match for Martinez as another match without a goal could lead to a shift up top.
Miami are loking to keep their good run going as this is their longest winning streak for the season. Messi is among the leading scorers in Leagues Cup with seven goals, joint top with Bongokuhle Hlongwane. After his strong performance against FC Dallas, Benjamin Cremaschi will start but the rest of the lineup will remain the same.
