Inter Miami's Javier Mascherano continues to coach, makes call from stands after ejection
Tigres forward Iván López nearly tied the match in added time, but his header hit the right post, bounced along the line to hit the left post, and diverted back into play.
Somehow, those instances don't even measure up to the wildest thing that happened in Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Tigres in their Leagues Cup quarterfinal match on Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano provided one of the quirkiest moments of the Lionel Messi era in Major League Soccer, watching and coaching from the stands in the first row of Section 101 inside Chase Stadium after being ejected.
Mascherano was even seen on the Apple TV broadcast talking on his iPhone, seemingly to assistant coach Lucas Rodriguez Pagano on the field while fellow assistant Leandro Stillitano led the club on the sidelines.
Mascherano was allowed to watch the match from the stands after being ejected, but not allowed to coach or give instructions, a Leagues Cup media spokesperson announced to media in the press box as the scene unfolded.
Due to his red card, Mascherano was not available to speak to the media after the match. He will also be suspended for Inter Miami's match in the Leagues Cup semifinals on either Aug. 26 or 27.
It was a scene that would make former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine proud. Valentine infamously returned to the Mets' dugout in disguise, sporting a mustache, after being ejected during a game on June 9, 1999.
Messi watched Wednesday's game from an on-field suite, one level below Mascherano in the stands. Messi was not in action for the quarterfinal match, dealing with a nagging right hamstring injury he reaggravated during a 3-1 win in a regular-season match against the L.A. Galaxy on Aug. 16.
Mascherano argued with referees while heading back into the locker room at halftime about players playing past allotted stoppage time at the end of the first half.
He was concerned because starting left back Jordi Alba suffered a right knee injury, and Inter Miami tried to finish the first half without making a substitution. Alba lingered on the sidelines before briefly reentering the match for the final minutes of stoppage time. Alba then left the match after trying to start the second half.
Suarez scored a penalty in the 23rd minute, then sealed the victory with another penalty kick in the 89th minute. Tigres tied the match at 1 when Argentine World Cup champion Ángel Correa scored in the 67th minute. López nearly sent the match to a penalty shootout with his borderline goal in the 91st minute.
When the final whistle blew, Mascherano walked behind a police officer from his seat. He pumped his fist and walked down the stairs into the stadium crowd amongst the fans.
Maybe, he'll keep the same seat for next week's Leagues Cup semifinal.
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