10-man Inter Miami collapsed without Lionel Messi available in a horrific first leg loss to Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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Inter Miami opened the scoring early in the first half, with defender Tomas Aviles finding the back of the net. Off a corner kick, the ball was drilled into the box and Aviles flicked it off his foot into the roof of the net to give the Herons the early lead.
Tata Martino’s side were handed a massive blow in the second half, though. In the 61st and 65th minute of the match, midfielder David Ruiz picked up a pair of yellow cards, reducing the Herons to 10 men. Then, just five minutes later, Monterrey equalized – scoring a crucial away goal – in the 70th minute. Winger Maxi Meza found the back of the net off a set piece, notching home off the back post on a loose ball.
Things went from bad to worse for the Herons as the match went on though, with the Liga MX side taking a late lead in the 89th minute through a wondergoal from Jorge Rodriguez.
With a 2-1 victory in leg one, Rayados take the advantage – and two crucial away goals – into leg two, while the Herons will have to find a result in Mexico next if they want to advance.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since arriving in July 2023, Lionel Messi has missed 12 total matches – including Wednesday evening’s clash – for the Herons, and they’ve managed to just win two across all competitions during that span.
THE MVP
Maxi Meza: The Argentine has made the Champions Cup his competition so far in 2024, with a goal and an assist on Wednesday to help lead Rayados to victory. In total, he now has five assists in the tournament in 2024, leading the pack across the board.
Maxi Meza with the equalizer for @Rayados! ⚽️
Will he score too in the #LeaguesCup? 🤔
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) April 4, 2024
His opener was a timely winger’s run at the backpost, and he finished in clinical fashion. His late game-winning assist was a fantastic layoff that Rodriguez capitalized on with a stupendous effort. It was a brilliant game from the 31-year-old Argentine, who was the best player on the pitch at Chase Stadium all evening.
THE BIG LOSER
David Ruiz: The young Inter Miami midfielder has been so consistent for the Herons this season, but Wednesday was an absolute disaster of a performance. Two yellow cards – both for poor fouls – in five minutes saw him removed from the match, and then just five minutes later, Monterrey leveled the match.
He put his team at a disadvantage due to an egregious pair of mistakes. It was a moment where he looked like a 20-year-old kid on the field surrounded by players who have been on the pitch for over a decade. Monterrey did everything right to put pressure on him once he was on a yellow, and Ruiz’s lack of awareness cost his side.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
The Herons return to the pitch at the weekend in MLS action, taking on the Colorado Rapids. Then, the second leg of their series against Monterrey will be held on Wednesday, April 10. If they want any chance at all of advancing to the next leg of the Champions Cup, they’ll need Messi – and a miracle – in Mexico.
