FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi was absent from the field when Inter Miami took on Cavalier FC for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 at Chase Stadium on March 6, 2025. Despite his absence, Inter Miami secured a 2-0 victory against the Jamaican side, with goals coming from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez.
The match showcased Inter Miami's depth and skill, emphasizing the team's commitment to defense and strategy, particularly under the guidance of coach Javier Mascherano. Miami entered the contest with momentum after defeating Sporting Kansas City 4-1 on aggregate in the opening round. Meanwhile, Cavalier, winners of the 2024 Caribbean Cup, approached this match as their first challenge after qualifying directly for the Champions Cup's later stages.
The contest began with Cavalier showing surprising promise, threatening the Inter Miami goal with aggressive runs and coordinated play. For much of the first half, Cavalier appeared to have the upper hand, with several close calls and even celebrating what would have been the opening goal, only to see it disallowed after a lengthy VAR review.
Javier Mascherano, when reflecting on the match, stated, "We're playing with fire. And when you play with fire, it's very possible you'll get burned." This remark underscored the persistent threat Cavalier posed, even if the match statistics later favored Miami with 12 shots compared to 5 for Cavalier.
The breakthrough for Miami came at the 61st minute when Tadeo Allende found the back of the net with a decisive left-footed shot, giving the Herons the lead. Luis Suarez sealed the win with another goal just 22 minutes later, driving the aggregate score to 2-0.
While Inter Miami remained the favorite throughout the match, the absence of superstar Lionel Messi raised questions about team morale and strategy. Messi had missed this game following two consecutive absences, having also missed the previous MLS match against Houston Dynamo. Coach Mascherano reassured fans, indicating, "He is healthy, uninjured, and rested, but dealing with fatigue and is considered day to day." With several matches on the horizon, including the return fixture against Cavalier on March 13 and local league play against Charlotte FC on March 9, the decision to rest Messi was deemed pragmatic.
Indeed, Messi's potential reappearance is highly anticipated, especially with international fixtures looming, where Argentina is set to challenge Uruguay and Brazil later this month in World Cup qualifying matches. His participation could greatly influence Inter Miami's strategy and success this season.
On the other side, Cavalier FC, with its youthful squad averaging just 20.2 years of age, demonstrated commendable tenacity and resilience, even pushing the established team like Inter Miami to the limits. Coach Rudolph Speid acknowledged the VAR call with visible frustration, saying, "It looked like there was a player in a position to be offside, but he wasn't involved in the play at all. I thought the goal should have stood." His comments reflected the fine margins and contention inherent in knockout matches.
Despite the outcome, Speid remained hopeful. The second leg at Kingston's National Stadium, slated for March 13, is expected to draw significant attention, as Cavalier aims for what would be considered nothing short of monumental, especially after the 2024 season where they faced setbacks against MLS teams.
Following the match, Speid optimistically stated, "We’ll let them mourn and feel dejected for a trial – it usually helps. We’ll give them the day off, and we’ll pick it up from there. I can assure they will be motivated for the second leg, even by themselves." This sentiment captures the spirit of competition and the determination needed to challenge the odds.
With Inter Miami now holding the advantage, all eyes will be on Messi as he navigates the delicate balance of rest and readiness. His team is set to welcome Charlotte FC before facing Cavalier again, where expectations will be high for both him and his teammates. Fans hope the return of their talisman will bring even greater fortunes to the squad as they aim to continue their pursuit of the Champions Cup.