With no Lionel Messi, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano sees red

Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by Charlotte FC on Saturday night in a game that proved the limitations of the Herons’ famously deep squad. Miami coach Javier Mascherano certainly appeared frustrated, picking up a late red card for dissent.

Heading into the 2026 season, the reigning champions had been heralded as the strongest MLS squad ever assembled. Miami had extended Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul, and added MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair, former Best XI defender Micael and German Berterame, a $15 million arrival from Monterrey.

None of those players started at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday as Javier Mascherano made ten changes to the team that began the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup game against Nashville last Wednesday. With one eye on the second leg, and the bulk of their starters on the bench, Miami looked short on ideas in attack.

Played in front of a 34,780 crowd, the first clear-cut chance of the game fell to the home side when Liel Abada raced through on goal after a clever flick-on from Idan Toklomati. Abada struck his shot firmly but it flew wide of the target, an early let-off for Inter Miami.

Miami had to wait until the 35th minute for their first clear sight of goal, an Ian Fray header forcing a brilliant sprawling save from Kristijan Kahlina in the Charlotte goal. The hosts had one more chance to break the deadlock before halftime, Toklomati heading over after Harry Toffolo whipped in a teasing cross from the left flank.

But those moments of quality were few and far between. Without much offensive inspiration from either team, a five-minute Mexican wave rolled around the stadium midway through the second half.

The largely-anonymous Wilfried Zaha had one clear sight of goal after the break but his close-range volley was well-saved by the impressive Rios Rocco-Novo. Mascherano did eventually bring on the likes of Tadeo Allende and Berterame but the absence of Messi and De Paul from the matchday squad ensured that there was a lack of the usual cutting edge on the ball.

The biggest incident of the second half came in the dying minutes when Mascherano was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. The first was a booking for berating the officials, the second came just moments later when he stepped onto the field of play to continue the barrage. It was not out of place in a tetchy, scrappy game.

In the end, both sides will probably be fairly happy with a point. Miami were able to ring the changes, prevent injuries, and still avoid defeat against a playoff-caliber team. Meanwhile Charlotte get a draw against the MLS Cup holders and a first clean sheet of 2026. In truth, the only contingent who left disappointed were the legions of fans wearing ‘Messi 10′ jerseys at Bank of America Stadium. If nothing else, Saturday’s game did go to prove that it really is a case of no Messi, no party.

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