Inter Miami player ratings: Messi-less Herons frustrated in Charlotte

Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by Charlotte FC on Saturday night, failing to find any rhythm with a heavily rotated team. With one eye on next Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup second leg against Nashville SC, Miami coach Javier Mascherano made ten changes to his team.

Both goalkeepers - Kristijan Kahlina and Rocco Rios-Novo - put in impressive performances, ensuring that the game remained goalless. In the end, both teams may be fairly happy with a point at this early stage of the MLS season. Here’s a look at the performances form a much-changed Inter Miami...

Rocco Rios-Novo (8) Made a sharp early save from Ashley Westwood and a sensational second-half stop when Wilfried Zaha was one-on-one from close range. The Miami keeper showed how he won the starter’s jersey for the successful MLS Cup run last season.

Gonzalo Lujan (7) Wasn’t tested too much but made an important intervention to prevent Wilfried Zaha latching onto a long ball forward in the second half.

Sergio Reguilon (7) Made a few impressive breaks forward down the left, adding some much-needed incision to a stodgy performance from Inter Miami. Withdrawn after 67 minutes to save his legs.

Ian Fray (7) Made a few of his trademark bursts forward and looked as dangerous as any Miami player at points. Managed to deal with Wilfried Zaha well, preventing the Charlotte DP from influencing the game to any real extent.

Noah Allen (7) The only starter from the midweek draw against Nashville SC to retain his place. Deployed at center back in Charlotte. Dealt fairly well with the rangy Idan Toklomati and proved why he remains a genuine central defensive option for Miami.

David Ayala (6) Making his first MLS appearance for Inter Miami, Ayala showed why Miami brought him from the Portland Timbers. Not a flashy player, but a solid performer who can knit together the team and keeps the ball moving. Lacked a bit of ambition on the ball to find Miami’s forwards.

David Ruiz (6) Looked tidy in possession, playing in a midfield two alongside Ayala. Is yet to really establish himself as a starter for Miami but is now a dependable utility player, clearly trusted by Mascherano.

Luis Suarez (6) Looks slightly more mobile that his 2025 self, managing to involve himself slightly more in the team’s build-up with some neat touches and lay-offs.

Santiago Morales (5) Playing as an attacking midfielder, tasked with connecting Suarez with the rest of his team, Morales struggling to have any real impact on the game. Essentially stepping in to replace the playmaking abilities of Lionel Messi, Morales was found lacking.

Mateo Silvetti (5) Stationed out wide on the left flank, Silvetti looked like a shadow of the player that burst onto the scene late in 2025. Without their primary playmaker in the team, Miami failed to get Silvetti on the ball and he was largely anonymous for his XX minutes on the field.

Daniel Pinter (6) A surprise pick from Javier Mascherano, who handed the 18-year-old academy graduate his first MLS start. Slightly lucky to avoid being carded in the first half and faded from the game in the second.

Substitutes

German Berterame (6) Deployed on the left wing to allow Suarez to remain central. Forced a save from Kahlina with a well-directed header in the 78th minute.

Cesar Ezequiel Abadia-Reda (N/A)

Alex Shaw (N/A)

Tadeo Segovia (N/A)

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