MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Earns Point, Secures Clean Sheet in Nashville

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By Inter Miami CF

May 2^nd, 2021

MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Earns Point, Secures Clean Sheet in Nashville

Inter Miami CF (1-1-1, 4 points) earned a draw on the road in Nashville, keeping the team unbeaten on the road through two matches in 2021 and recording its first clean sheet of the season. The scoreless draw with Nashville SC (0-0-3, 3 points) represented a rematch between 2020 MLS Cup Playoff opponents and saw the visitors make Club history, with Homegrown Player Edison Azcona becoming the first Academy product to feature for the First Team.

Lineup Notes

Inter Miami made a number of changes to the starting XI; Ryan Shawcross slotted in at center back, making his first start for the team, while Jay Chapman and Victor Ulloa returned to the starting lineup for the first time in 2021, with Ulloa donning the captain’s armband for the first time.

Defender / midfielder Brek Shea, meanwhile, returned to the matchday squad for the first time in 2021.

Fuerza Familia Higuaín

The team posed with a message of support, wishing strength for the Higuaín family following the passing of Nancy Zacarías, mother of Federico and Gonzalo Higuaín.

Match Action

Inter Miami opened the match on the front foot, creating a pair of dangerous chances in the opening 10 minutes. In the fourth minute, good work from Chapman in possession saw him beat his defender and cut a cross back into the center of the box for Lewis Morgan, who controlled the pass and delivered a shot that drew a diving save from Joe Willis. In the seventh minute, Morgan returned the favor, pressing to win possession and delivering a cross to Chapman in the box, whose shot drew another diving reaction save.

In the later stages of the half, it was the defense that was called into action. In the 32nd minute, Shawcross won a crucial aerial duel before the ball Anibal Godoy, whose powerful volley was heading for goal, but a crucial block from Leandro González Pirez denied the effort.

Inter Miami made a number of substitutions throughout the second half, first bringing on Brek Shea for Joevin Jones. The appearance marked Shea’s first of the 2021 season.

In the 67th minute, the team made history by bringing on Azcona, making him the first Academy product to feature for the First Team. The young winger came on for Chapman, while Robbie Robinson came on for Rodolfo Pizarro.

Minutes later, Robinson made a dangerous run in behind the defense, winning the ball and taking a touch off his chest before being cut down by Walker Zimmerman, prompting a video review for a possible red card, but ultimately only a yellow was shown.

The visitors made one final substitution before the match was over, bringing on rookie Josh Penn for his second appearance of the season as Robinson was forced off through injury.

The match remained scoreless through the final whistle, resulting in a point on the road for Inter Miami.

Making History

Edison Azcona's MLS debut marked a historic moment for the Club, as it fulfilled a stated ambition to feature an Academy product with the First Team for the first time.

Azcona, who is one of three Inter Miami CF Academy products currently signed to Homegrown contracts with the First Team, played the final 23 minutes against Nashville SC.

Heineken Man of the Match

Ryan Shawcross marked his full debut for Inter Miami with a standout performance. The center back played the full 90 minutes and provided defensive stability, helping the team register its first clean sheet of the season.

Post-Match Reaction

“I’m really pleased. In a strange way it was probably the performance I enjoyed the most out of the three we had so far, we had to show qualities that maybe people outside the club didn't think that this squad had in terms of fighting, togetherness, spirit,” said head coach Phil Neville.

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