Inter Miami Squeaks by Cavalier FC – Whew!
Okay, so Inter Miami beat Cavalier FC 2-0 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup match. Sounds straightforward, right? Wrong. This game was anything but a walk in the park. Playing without Lionel Messi – load management, they called it – the Herons had to fight tooth and nail for that win. It was tense, it was dramatic, and honestly, the final score doesn’t even begin to tell the story.
A VAR Decision That Had Everyone Talking
The first half? Let's just say Cavalier FC came to play. They were all over Inter Miami, really pushing them to their limits. They even had a goal – a gorgeous set piece, expertly finished by Shaquille Stein. But then…VAR. After what felt like forever, the ref disallowed the goal for offside. Apparently, Jerome McLeary was offside, and even though he wasn't directly involved in the actual shot, it was deemed to influence play. You know how sometimes things just spiral? That's how it felt. The Cavalier players and coaches were furious, and you couldn’t blame them!
Inter Miami Finds Their Rhythm, But Cavalier Kept Fighting
Cavalier impressed me. Their counter-attacks were lightning quick, and their midfield was buzzing with energy. Inter Miami eventually found their footing in the second half, though. Tadeo Allende finally broke the deadlock in the 61st minute after a bit of a goalmouth scramble – a real messy, glorious goal. Then, Luis Suarez sealed the deal with a late goal in the 83rd minute. Even with the win, though, it was clear: Cavalier could definitely hang with a team like Inter Miami, even without their superstar.
Messi's Absence and the Road Ahead
Messi’s absence was a big deal, of course. Coach Javier Mascherano insisted his team could compete at a high level without him, and they did, but let's be real, Messi makes a difference. A huge difference. With the away goals rule still in effect, Cavalier are far from out of this. They've got a real shot at turning things around in the second leg in Kingston, Jamaica on March 13th. Think 35,000 screaming fans. It's going to be electric.
A Nail-Biter of a Series – Far From Over
Inter Miami's 2-0 win gives them a small advantage, but this series is far from over. Cavalier’s resilience was incredible, and they proved they’re a real threat. The second leg in Kingston is going to be a showdown. Inter Miami needs to win, while Cavalier only needs a two-goal victory to advance. Will Messi return? That’s the million-dollar question. This is going to be wild!
