Inter Miami triumphed 3-1 over D.C. United at Audi Field, as goals from Luis Suarez and Leo Campana propelled the Herons to three points away from home without star figure Lionel Messi.
D.C United kicked off stronger, making constant runs down the left to test Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callendar. After a couple of attempts from Christian Benteke, Stroud found the opening goal from the right side with a rocket into the opposite corner of the net.
Miami defenders Noah Allen and Nicolas Freire lingered in the area but failed to stop Stroud’s momentum. But D.C. United’s lead didn’t last long, after a quick response from Campana leveled the playing field in the nation’s capital.
The Heron’s recent signing Federico Redondo initiated the goal-scoring opportunity on the right, weaving through defenders before being brought down just on the edge of the box and flicking the ball to Campana from the ground. The Ecuadorian wasted no time in completing the right-footed shot into the net.
Suarez then doubled the lead just minutes after coming off the bench, tapping the ball into the bottom-left corner of the goal. And it didn’t stop there.
Diego Gomez made his way to the center of the field to provide Suarez with a great assist, allowing the Uruguayan to position himself for the perfect rocket. The ball initially hit the post before bounding into the back of the net.
GK: Drake Callender – 7/10 – Made a couple decent saves, but nothing of too much note.
RB: David Ruiz – 6.5/10 – Mediocre performance all around, but also being played out of position.
CB: Tomas Aviles – 6/10 – Lacked defensive defintion. Allowed for D.C. United to take advantage of spaces.
CB: Nicolas Freire – N/A – Subbed off with an injury in the first half.
LB: Noah Allen – 5/10 – Consistently beat down the left, before making a crucial mistake in that first D.C. United goal.
CM: Federico Redondo – 8/10 – Initiated the play for Miami’s first goal, assisting Campana from the ground.
CM: Sergio Busquets – 8/10 – Decent ball distribution from the midfield, nothing less than what’s expected from the player.
CM: Diego Gomez – 8/10 – A couple of defensive mistakes, but provided a great assist in Miami’s second goal.
RW: Julian Gressel – 7.5/10 – Inter Miami’s joker. He adjusts quickly to any and every position, even if its midgame.
ST: Leo Campana – 8.5/10 – Scored the first goal, but still does not live up to his full potential. A couple messy runs and missed opportunities.
LW: Robert Taylor – 7/10 – Not much participation in the attack.
SUB: Serhiy Kryvtsov (31′ for Freire) – 6/10
SUB: Luis Suarez (62′ for Taylor) – 10/10
SUB: Jordi Alba (76′ for Gressel) – 7/10
SUB: Shanyder Borgelin (76′ for Campana) – 6/10
Gerardo Martino – 5/10 – A confusing game, with no structure. Suarez and Alba are great subs, but the changes and results cannot overshadow the three formation changes mid-game and David Ruiz being played out of position.
