Javier Mascherano's side settled for a frustrating point on the road after the manager made eight changes
Baltasar Rodriguez's second half strike salvaged a road point for Inter Miami, who were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Lionel Messi still absent.
A much-changed Miami struggled to open the game. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were known absences due to injury, but Sergio Busquets, the ever-reliable midfield metronome, watched from the bench to start, as did Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. The result was a Miami lacking in fluidity and suspect defensively.
D.C. United were good value for their opener, with youngster Jackson Hopkins reacting first to a loose ball before tucking home. Miami, for their part, created little, and failed to put a shot on target in the first half. They looked more dangerous after the break, though.
Rodriguez put a shot off the post. Noah Allen forced a full-stretch save. Rodriguez got the equalizer just after the hour mark, releasing a wonderful half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards out.
The home side might have won it, but Jacob Murrell saw his clever finish chalked off for a narrow offside. Miami, too, came close, with De Paul putting a free-kick off the post. But spoils were shared in the end, the Herons' attention inevitably turned to Wednesday's Leagues Cup semifinal clash.
Couldn't do anything about Hopkins' opener. Made a couple of tidy saves.
Marcelo Weigandt (7/10):
Not the 5-foot-7 Argentine people would have paid to see, you'd imagine. Solid throughout, and kept the right side tidy.
Ryan Sailor (5/10):
A bit uncomfortable in just his first appearance of the season. Lost his man on the goal.
Gonzalo Lujan (6/10):
A tidy 55 minutes before being removed in favor of more attacking options.
Noah Allen (6/10):
Filled in effectively for Jordi Alba defensively, but his attacking chops are lacking.
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Midfield
Tomas Aviles (6/10):
Played out of position as a defensive midfielder, but looked far more assured when moved into the back line.
David Ruiz (5/10):
Energetic but lacking in positional discipline. Miami looked more controlled when he was subbed off.
Telasco Segovia (5/10):
Not his most involved showing. Bit loose in his passing and created just one chance.
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Attack
Benjamin Cremaschi (6/10):
Given a chance to show his quality after a week of controversy. Still didn't get to play in his preferred position, and was wayward in the final-third. Not the kind of performance to keep a disgruntled coach happy.
Tadeo Allende (5/10):
Deployed as a No .9 despite spending most of the season out wide. Struggled for his hour on the pitch and completed just eight passes.
Fafa Picault (6/10):
Not the most glamorous showing, but he did plenty of defensive work and supported Suarez well late on.
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Subs & Manager
Baltasar Rodriguez (7/10):
Scored an absolutely outrageous goal to equalize. Quiet otherwise.
Sergio Busquets (7/10):
Miami were completely changed when he entered. Dictated possession and made things happen.
Rodrigo De Paul (6/10):
Right into the mix and gave the Herons an extra attacking thrust – even if he made the wrong decision here and there.
Luis Suarez (6/10):
Up to his usual tricks, finding clever angles and distributing well. Got hilariously booked for complaining.
Ian Fray (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Javier Mascherano (6/10):
Made eight changes from the team that won in Leagues Cup midweek. Miami were disjointed as a result, and deserved no more than the draw.
