Inter lost to Vancouver 2-0 in the first semifinal of the Concacaf Cup.
Inter Miami fell to the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 in a first-leg match of the Concacaf Champions League semifinals. Lionel Messi had a tough clash with Andrés Cubas, and Javier Mascherano’s team must win the second leg while also avoiding conceding.
Forward Brian White opened the scoring for the Canadian club in the 24th minute of the first half, while Sebastian Berhalter increased the lead with just five minutes of regular time remaining.
The decisive match will be played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale next Wednesday. Inter Miami must win by at least two goals and avoid conceding because there is an away goal. If they concede, they will need to score four goals to reach the final.
The match in Canada was back-and-forth as both teams came out in search of victory. While the U.S. tried to control possession and advance, the Vancouver Whitecaps created danger whenever they found space and wasted several opportunities early in the game.
However, in the 24th minute, Canada managed to open the scoring when, following a quick counterattack and a precise cross from Pedro Vite, Brian White headed home the ball and made it 1-0, but Oscar Ustari was powerless to stop his goal.
In addition to Messi and Ustari, Inter Miami had Marcelo Weigandt, Federico Redondo, and Tadeo Allende on the pitch, but the Argentine national team captain had no space to impose his game, while he had a heated exchange with former Boca Juniors player Andrés Cubas, with whom he argued one-on-one.
Already in the second half, the United States dominated possession, but failed to find the necessary momentum in the closing stages to secure a draw, which would have been invaluable considering the importance given to away goals at this stage of the tournament.
The Whitecaps, meanwhile, had a perfect counterattack with five minutes remaining, creating a strong play down the right, and Berhalter sealed the victory by finishing off a fine pass from Jayden Nelson.
Despite the 2-0 loss, Inter Miami had 69% possession and completed more than twice as many passes as the home side, but they failed to break down the opposing defense, and Messi came closest with a first-half shot that fell into the hands of goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
Next Wednesday, Inter Miami Wednesday will have to turn around a series again, as happened in the quarterfinals against Los Angeles FC when the American team lost 1-0 in the first leg and, after starting off on the losing end of the second leg, managed to score three goals to advance to the next round.
