Inter Miami Triumphs 2-1 Over Vancouver Whitecaps Despite Messi’s Absence

Without their star player Messi, Inter Miami still secured a 2-1 victory against the struggling Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. Despite playing away in Vancouver, Miami delivered a solid performance and came out on top.

Robert Taylor scored a goal and provided an assist, while Leo Campana also scored for Inter Miami, who now hold a 10-4-2 record.

Ryan Gauld responded for the Whitecaps (5-5-4) by converting a penalty kick in the 72nd minute, putting Vancouver on the scoreboard. Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, had a relatively quiet game, making one save.

In contrast, Vancouver’s Yohei Takaoka was busier, successfully stopping four on-target shots from Miami. Despite Vancouver’s efforts, Inter Miami held on to secure the win.

Soccer fans upset earlier in the week. When they learned that Miami wouldn’t be bringing soccer legend Lionel Messi to play in B.C. Due to the team’s busy Major League Soccer schedule.

Despite Messi’s absence, the crowd of 51,035 still had fans wearing pink Messi jerseys, and chants of “Where is Messi?” erupted early in the game. The result extended Vancouver’s winless streak to six games (0-3-3) in MLS play, while Miami stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games (7-0-3).

The Whitecaps started the game with an aggressive offense and came very close to scoring in the eighth minute. Ryan Gauld delivered a precise cross to Fafa Picault at the far post. Picault headed the ball down, aiming for the net. But his attempt thwarted by a well-timed block from Miami’s Marcelo Weigandt, keeping the score level.

Miami, who also chose not to bring Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets for the game. As continuously attacked Vancouver’s goalkeeper, Yohei Takaoka, with shots throughout the first half. Their persistence paid off when they managed to score in the 38th minute, breaking the deadlock.

In the 38th minute, Jordi Alba passed the ball to Taylor. Who skillfully maneuvered past Vancouver defender Mathias Laborda inside the penalty area. Taylor then unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that flew past Takaoka, giving Miami a 1-0 lead.

Throughout the first half, Vancouver failed to register a single shot on target. While Miami managed to record five shots, demonstrating their dominance on the field.

In the 54th minute, Taylor caused trouble for the Whitecaps again by skillfully evading Laborda’s defense. He then passed the ball to Campana, positioned at the top of the six-yard box. Campana calmly slotted the ball into the net, extending Miami’s lead to 2-0.

However, in the 69th minute, a video review injected some hope for Vancouver.

In the penalty area, Tomas Aviles collided with Picault, although initially, no foul was called. However, after a review by the video assistant referee, a penalty was awarded to Vancouver. Gauld confidently stepped up to take the kick, directing a right-footed shot past a diving Callendar. This narrowed Vancouver’s deficit to 2-1, injecting some tension into the match in the 72nd minute.

In the 81st minute, Picault came agonizingly close to equalizing the score when he struck a powerful shot that rattled off the post, narrowly missing the target.

Looking ahead, the Whitecaps will be back in action on Wednesday as they face Sporting Kansas City away from home. Meanwhile, Miami will play host to Atlanta United on the same night.