Latest news with #FORTLAUDERDALE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Miami coach blasts MLS decision to discipline Lionel Messi for All-Star absence
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano criticized Major League Soccer's decision to suspend Lionel Messi for the team's home match vs. FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26 over skipping the All-Star Game. Messi and Jordi Alba were both out due to league discipline as Inter Miami and Cincinnati played to a scoreless draw at Chase Stadium. 'Now I have a question: What if today's game was an away game?" Mascherano said afterwards. "Would you ask for Leo not to play? Because when it comes to filling stadiums and making money, no one complains. 'The thing is: This game happened to be a home game. That's the issue. I'll leave it up to you to decide.' Mascherano also questioned officiating against Inter Miami. The club is the only team in the league to not have a penalty kick granted this season. There were two instances against Cincinnati where they should have received a penalty call, Inter Miami contested. Luis Suarez and Fafa Picault incurred contact on two separate plays, but no penalty was awarded. 'A team that has scored as many goals as we have in MLS … zero penalties,' Mascherano said. 'Strange, considering how much we're in the area, zero penalties. I'll leave that for you to think about.' Inter Miami did get the most controversial call of the match to go their way against Cincinnati, though. Cincinnati's Miles Robinson scored a header (90'+3'), but appeared to hit Inter Miami defender Noah Allen in the head during the score. The play was ruled a foul on the field, and VAR wasn't enough to overturn it to a goal. 'The referee delayed the whistle to allow the opportunity for VAR to review for a possible goal. After the VAR check, the referee's decision was confirmed,' lead referee Tori Penso said in a pool report after the match. Mascherano was seen yelling 'do your job' at least twice towards officials, including Penso, resulting in a yellow card being shown in the first-year coach's direction in the 70th minute. Both sides earned one point in the standings after the draw. Inter Miami maintained fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 42 points, while Cincinnati (49 points) dropped to second place behind Philadelphia (50 points). This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano questions Messi MLS discipline
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Miami plays Cincinnati to 0-0 draw without suspended Messi
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami played FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw without the suspended Lionel Messi on Saturday night. Messi was not available after he and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended one match by Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star game. Messi was still in attendance on Saturday, watching from a suite at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas called the punishment 'draconian' on Friday, saying that Messi was 'extremely upset" at the suspension that sidelined him for an important match as Miami pushes for its second-straight MLS Supporters' Shield. Miami and Cincinnati both entered the matchup as winners of six of their last seven. Cincinnati, which routed Messi and Inter Miami 3-0 last Wednesday — is second in the Supporters' Shield standings with 49 points, while Inter Miami is fifth with 42 points. Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson nearly scored the winner a couple minutes into stoppage time on Saturday when he headed home MVP candidate Evander's free kick, but the goal was disallowed because of a foul. Veteran striker Luis Suárez made several incredible passes in the opening minutes, including one to Fafà Picault, whose header was denied by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Before the match, Miami introduced Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's good friend and national team buddy who officially signed with the club on Friday. Fans at Chase Stadium cheered and waved welcome signs as the new Miami star walked onto the pitch. 'I'm going to give everything I have,' De Paul told the crowd. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Inter Miami plays Cincinnati to 0-0 draw without suspended Messi
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami played FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw without the suspended Lionel Messi on Saturday night. Messi was not available after he and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended one match by Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star game. Messi was still in attendance on Saturday, watching from a suite at Chase Stadium. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas called the punishment 'draconian' on Friday, saying that Messi was 'extremely upset' at the suspension that sidelined him for an important match as Miami pushes for its second-straight MLS Supporters' Shield. Miami and Cincinnati both entered the matchup as winners of six of their last seven. Cincinnati, which routed Messi and Inter Miami 3-0 last Wednesday — is second in the Supporters' Shield standings with 49 points, while Inter Miami is fifth with 42 points. Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson nearly scored the winner a couple minutes into stoppage time on Saturday when he headed home MVP candidate Evander's free kick, but the goal was disallowed because of a foul. Veteran striker Luis Suárez made several incredible passes in the opening minutes, including one to Fafà Picault, whose header was denied by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Before the match, Miami introduced Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's good friend and national team buddy who officially signed with the club on Friday. Fans at Chase Stadium cheered and waved welcome signs as the new Miami star walked onto the pitch. 'I'm going to give everything I have,' De Paul told the crowd. ___ AP soccer:
Al Arabiya
5 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Mls suspends Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping All-Star Game
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were suspended one match by Major League Soccer for skipping its All-Star Game, the league announced Friday. Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule, and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Per MLS rules, any player who doesn't participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match. The players will miss Miami's home match Saturday against FC Cincinnati, which sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. As Inter Miami awaited the league's decision, both Messi and Alba practiced with the club on Friday in anticipation of playing in Saturday's match. 'I know Lionel Messi loves this league,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. 'I don't think there's a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.' Garber added that the league will re-evaluate the policy and work with players to determine how the rule should evolve.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
MLS suspends Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping All-Star Game
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were suspended one match by Major League Soccer for skipping its All-Star Game, the league announced Friday. Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Per MLS rules, any player who doesn't participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match. The players will miss Miami's home match Saturday against FC Cincinnati, which sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. As Inter Miami awaited the league's decision, both Messi and Alba practiced with the club on Friday in anticipation of playing in Saturday's match. 'I know Lionel Messi loves this league,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. 'I don't think there's a player — or anyone — who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. 'Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.' Garber added that the league will re-evaluate the policy and work with players to 'determine how the rule should evolve.' ___ AP soccer:
