James Sands’ goal in the 95th minute secured a point share for the Eastern Conference team over the Florida team in the Bronx. Messi may have had his worst performance for Inter Miami since joining the team.
Tata Martino’s team suffered a major setback in their attempt to break the MLS regular season points record, as they need ten more points to achieve history, despite Inter Miami’s six-point lead in the Supporters’ Shield race with four games remaining.
And New York City manager Nick Cushing has now shared how managed to stop Inter Miami and Messi in the Big Apple.
New York City targeted Inter Miami beyond Messi
Speaking to TalkSport, the former Manchester City coach highlighted how New York City were able to stop Messi by pressing the rest of Inter Miami, with Cushing saying that limiting the space was key to stopping the Herons from running riot. Cushing said: “It’s incredibly difficult when you play a team of their level. They’re running away with the MLS currently, and for us, it was about reducing the spaces and the amount of time that they get to impact the game. We’re a high-pressing team and we like to press really hard. We like to try and turn our the defensive side of our game into our attack.
“We limited Suarez to three shots in the game and Messi to one touch in the box. We were able to salvage something from the game because of our excellent defence. They are very good players, but we see it more as a team sport. Messi, in particular, I’m sure every coach has attempted to do something individually on him, and he is somebody who can outplay that.
Therefore, whether we were high or low, it was about playing defence as a unit to ensure that we maintained defensive control over the game. We prefer to play aggressively and quickly, and it really helped us win this game.
New York City’s plan to stop Messi worked to a tee
New York City was one of the few MLS teams to really frustrate Messi, but Cushing’s strategies and the unfavourable Yankee Stadium pitch made it happen.
Even though Messi gave Leonardo Campana a hockey assist, the 37-year-old Argentine never really got going against New York and had little opportunities. It was a game to forget for Inter Miami.
Messi is unlikely to have a game as awful as what he endured on Saturday in the Major League Soccer, but Cushing should be happy of how his team handled facing the greatest player of all time and walking away with his head held high.
