Inter Miami squanders several chances to score in tie at Philadelphia
Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union, a pair of teams tired of tying had to settle for a scoreless tie at Subaru Park on Wednesday night.
A handful of squandered scoring chances on both ends and outstanding goalkeeping by Miami’s Drake Callender — who made eight saves — kept the ball out of the back of the net all night. Callender was voted Man of the Match for his efforts.
Desperate to score and get three points on the road, Miami coach Phil Neville brought in Gonzalo Higuain and energetic Emerson in the final 10 minutes, but neither was able to make a difference.
“I thought we controlled the ball, played some good football. The bit that makes us most frustrated is we feel we left some points on the board because he didn’t finish our chances,” Neville said. “I suppose to come to Philadelphia and come away with a point we should be happy, but we feel frustrated.”
The Union, which moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with the draw, had 20 shots on the night, including eight on frame. Miami, which inched up to 12th place in the standings with three wins, six losses and three ties, had nine shots on goal with only two on target.
In the final minutes, Philadelphia players repeatedly got in and around the Miami box and peppered Callender with shots, but he held steady and never lost his composure.
Crafty midfielder Bryce Duke had a great chance to put Miami ahead early in the second half, taking a pass from Robert Taylor and staring at an open look, but he launched it over the cross bar. Duke also missed another chance later in the game.
Leo Campana, who had been on fire with five goals over four games, was held scoreless and was replaced in the 69th minute by Higuain, who has been relegated to the bench in recent weeks. Higuain hung around the goal area trying to get in scoring position, but Inter Miami was unable to put the finishing touches on several passing sequences.
The most significant change in the Inter Miami starting lineup was the absence of U.S. national team right back DeAndre Yedlin, who had played every game this season. He was held out to get some rest as the team has a crowded upcoming schedule. Veteran Victor Ulloa started in his place.
Also, Neville opted to start Indiana Vassilev on the wing in place of Ariel Lassiter. Yedlin and Lassiter came off the bench together in the 62nd minute to add speed to the flanks.
Miami played a good first half, controlling possession 59 percent to 41 percent and taking five shots, one on target. The
Union had more scoring opportunities with four shots on frame, but good reflexes by Callender and center back Damion Lowe kept the game scoreless.
Callender, playing in place of injured Nick Marsman for the fourth game in a row, continued to make big saves and build a case for battling Marsman for the starting role when the Dutchman recovers from his back injury.
Marsman is an experienced leader known for his footwork and ball
delivery. Callender is a talented shot-stopper whom Neville has lauded for his knack for catching the ball.
Callender finished with his first clean sheet in his four MLS starts.
The one time Callender made a weak clearance in the first half, Lowe was there to save him, heading out surely would have been the go-ahead goal.
Philadelphia had lost just one of its 11 games before Wednesday, but five of those ended in ties.
Inter Miami winger
Robbie Robinson missed his second game in a row under concussion protocol. Also missing were Kieran Gibbs (groin) and Aime Mabika (hamstring). Backup goalkeeper Clement Diop stayed home to deal with citizenship paperwork.
Next up for Inter Miami is a home game Sunday at 6:30 p.m. against New York Red Bulls, a team whose roster includes former Miami MVP Lewis Morgan.