The Miami-Nashville matchup was a tantalizing thing.
Here were two teams in markedly different spots. Nashville’s only real slip-up this season came in Leagues Cup, when they were unable to overcome a trio of difficult matchups against top Liga MX teams. They have been, by some distance, the most complete side in MLS. They have conceded the fewest goals, and comfortably had the best goal differential in the Eastern Conference. The Sam Surridge-Hany Mukhtar duo is as effective as ever.
Miami, meanwhile, came into the game in a state of rampant uncertainty. Lionel Messi, less than two weeks removed from the passing of his father is back on the pitch, but the pieces still were not clicking around him. But also, the Messi guy remains pretty good. Nashville first. Miami second. Fireworks, right?
Not so much for Miami. Nashville battered them. Mukhtar scored two and had a key role in the other two as Nashville bagged four. Messi produced a quite sublime assist for Telasco Segovia. But he also missed a penalty at a crucial juncture in the game. Yes, he hit the post twice. Yes, Miami had 16 shots. But they somehow never really looked like scoring. Meanwhile, Nashville were so, so clinical. And Mukhtar was better than Messi on the night.