Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi in the starting lineup, lost 4-1 away to Nashville in a match valid for the nineteenth round of the MLS Eastern Conference, played tonight.
Honduran Andy Najar put the home side ahead, then Venezuelan Telasco Segovia temporarily equalized for Inter, but in the second half Nashville showed no mercy and took the lead with a brace from Briton Sam Surridge and another goal from German Hany Mukhtar.
With the score at 1-0, Messi had the opportunity to equalize with a penalty kick, but goalkeeper Brian Schwake guessed correctly and saved the shot to his right.
The heavy defeat left the Florida team in second place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Nashville, their conqueror tonight at Geodis Park Stadium.
Messi, who also received a yellow card, could do little in his return to the starting lineup after his brief absence, forced by the death of his father, Jorge Messi, the previous week in Rosario.
Nevertheless, Inter remains in a promising position and with a strong chance of qualifying for the playoffs in pursuit of the MLS title. In addition to Messi, the visiting team also featured Argentinians Rocco Ríos Novo, Facundo Mura, Gonzalo Luján, and Rodrigo De Paul.
