Inter Miami held by Atlanta as late Embolo penalty denies vital win | OneFootball

Inter Miami were held 2-2 at home by Atlanta United, missing a chance to cut Nashville’s lead. Breel Embolo’s late penalty cancelled a mixed night for Casemiro.

According to interheron.com, Nashville dropped points in a scoreless draw at New York City on Friday, so Miami’s failure to capitalise stings.

Dayne St. Clair saved a Miguel Almirón penalty early on. Casemiro, playing centre back again, headed in Lionel Messi’s corner, then sliced a clearance that St. Clair diverted to Almirón for the equaliser.

Luis Suárez restored the lead before half-time, finishing after Telasco Segovia’s assist from a Messi pass. Miami led 2-1 at the break.

In the 87th minute, 18-year-old Fricio Caicedo fouled Embolo, who converted for his first MLS goal on debut.

Despite conceding the earlier spot-kick for a high boot and the miskick, Casemiro impressed at the back and remains a set-piece threat. He produced 12 defensive actions and completed 92 percent of 65 of 71 passes, including three of seven long balls. FotMob rated him 7.4, while St. Clair posted a team-best 7.8 and appears back as starter.

Home form is lagging. Nu Stadium’s league return is 4-2-5, far from recent seasons, when Miami went a combined 22-5-7 at Chase Stadium.

Injury troubles persist. Mateo Silvetti, 20, dislocated his left shoulder in August against Atlético San Luis, missed six matches, came on in the 86th minute for Suárez and left 10 minutes later clutching it. He has under 1,000 minutes, with three goals and three assists.

Inter Miami are 12-4-7 on 43 points, second in the East and third in the Supporters’ Shield behind Nashville and Vancouver. They visit Chicago on Wednesday, then host Nashville on Saturday. The Fire are five points back.

Source: interheron.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”