Player ratings for Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Charlotte FC in MLS action.
Benjamin Cremaschi's late strike gave Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer at Bank of America Stadium.
How the game happened
The start of the game was the same script we have seen in Miami this season: a slow start where the opposition probed the Herons' penalty area and created many real scoring opportunities.
However, Charlotte did not capitalize on their dominance in the early stages as the Herons scored 30 minutes into the game. Jordi Alba went down the left inside the Charlotte penalty area, and Robert Taylor was all alone in the penalty area to calmly put Miami into the far corner.
Moments later, the hosts were ready to respond and pull one back. Senior Patrick Agyemang hit the post early on before finally finding the net minutes before half-time with a drive from the veteran striker — a low drive, to the far corner that Drake Callender got a glove on but couldn't get out.
It is not known if Serhoy Kryvstov came off injured, if he was on a yellow card or if he was replaced by Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, but Sergio Busquets then returned to left-back. Busquets is no stranger to this, and this small change from Martino has given Martino a sense of security at the back with a protected passer that is a veteran.
Even though Charlotte held on for the go-ahead goal in the second half, it was Miami who would go on to score the winning goal with just moments left. Julian Gressel — who was also lined up on the right wing — teed up Benjamin Cremaschi, who raced high into the box to score the winner.
This win saw the Herons extend their unbeaten run to five games with four wins in a row during that time as Martino's side sit first in the Supporters' Shield with 47 points. Martino will no doubt be delighted with the result as he continues to navigate a challenging period without Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in his squad.
GK: Drake Callender – 6/10 – He came up big from his near post but failed to stop Agyemang from equalizing despite getting a glove on the ball.
RB: Marcelo Weigandt – 6/10 – The player did not help or hinder his side.
CB: Tomas Aviles – 6/10 – He struggled to contain Agyemang — like the rest of Miami's back line — and was bullied off the ball by Charlotte's No. 33 which led to the equalizer. However, he improved as the game progressed.
CB: Serhiy Kryvtsov – 5/10 – In the same boat as Aviles. He may be a better match for Agyemang physically, but his lack of mobility was on display.
LB: Jordi Alba – 7/10 – He delivered one of his trademark crossing passes for Taylor to tap home to open the scoring.
CM: Benjamin Cremaschi – 8/10 – He played his part in stopping Taylor's goal with a clever clearance into Alba's path. He took home the match ball after scoring the game-winning goal in stoppage time.
CM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10 – Helped relieve pressure on Miami's defense in the second half after moving into center back next to Aviles.
CM: Diego Gomez – 7/10 – Gomez was everywhere on the court causing all kinds of problems for Charlotte. When healthy, he is one of Miami's best players who is often overlooked by many — outside of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
RW: Julian Gressel – 7/10 – He also stood out when he was out wide with his classy delivery which resulted in the winning strike.
ST: Leo Campana – 6/10 – He didn't get much service up front in fairness but his touches were all over the place.
LW: Robert Taylor – 7/10 – His first touch of the game was an unforced finish to put the visitors ahead in the first half.
What you are holding
SUB: Yannick Bright (46' for Kryvtsov) – 6/10 – He helped strengthen the field as Busquets dropped back.
SUB: Leo Afonso (71' for Taylor) – 6/10 – It didn't offer much in the final third after coming on.
SUB: David Ruiz (90' for Gressel) – N/A
SUB: Ian Fray (90' for Cremaschi) – N/A
The manager
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino – 7/10 – After his side overcame the opening storm it looked like they were determined to come away with the three points. And they did just that after holding Charlotte out of goal in the 45th second as his team's perseverance was rewarded.
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