Charlotte FC 1-0 Inter Miami: Player ratings as Herons conclude 2023 season with a loss

Inter Miami fell 0-1 to Charlotte FC on the final day of the 2023 Major League Soccer regular season, as a goal by Kerwin Vargas secured a wild card playoff match for the home side. 

Lionel Messi returned to the starting 11 for the team’s final match of the 2023 Major League Soccer season, leading the offensive after missing out on Wednesday’s action against the same opponent. 

Though the World Cup champion’s inclusion propelled the Herons forward, initiating any goal-scoring opportunities, Charlotte still managed the first of the night. After gaining possession in the midfield, Kamil Jóźwiak worked his way into the box to find Kerwin Vargas and inspire the strike. 

Vargas proved to be dangerous against Inter Miami when scoring the team’s second on Wednesday night, and tonight was no different. The player beat defender DeAndre Yedlin to manage the left-footed shot into the opposite corner for the 1-0 lead. 

Miami almost found the equalizer early in the second half, after a stunning pass by Sergio Busquets left Messi in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper but the Argentine figure was ruled offside. The Herons continued to press, enabling Leonardo Campana to test goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina with a header to the corner of the net but the Charlotte figure made a stunning save to keep the lead. 

Inter Miami concludes the 2023 campaign in 14th place on the Eastern Conference table with 34 points in 34 games 9W-7D-18L.

Inter Miami player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: CJ dos Santos - 7.5/10 - A decent performance given the situation, but will not be the starting goalkeeper any time soon.

RB: DeAndre Yedlin - 6/10 - Poor defending on the first goal by letting Vargas find space for the strike. Otherwise very little positive impact.

CB: Tomas Aviles - 6/10 - Has yet to make the defensive effect he was expected to when joining. Little help with the first goal.

CB: Kamal Miller - 6/10 - A complete lack of coverage on the first goal,  appeared lost. After losing possession, the player scrambled without making an impact.

LB: Noah Allen - 6/10 - Not the defensive dominance that Miami needs when playing against these teams.

CM: Gregore - 7/10 - A decent push from the recently recovered midfielder, but still a long ways to go to match his potential. Held a somewhat strong stance against Charlotte.

CM: Sergio Busquets - 7.5/10 - One of the better performances recently, more creative brilliance than anything. Connected well with Messi before the goal was ruled offside.

CM: Benjamin Cremaschi - 7/10 - On a downward spiral towards the end of the season. Lost his footing a bit, the break will do him good.

RW: Lionel Messi - 8/10 - Had the most offensive impact on the game. Almost managed the equalizer with a free kick but hit the post.

ST: Leonardo Campana - 6/10 - Completely muted by Charlotte. Almost zero impact on the game.

LW: Diego Gomez - 6/10 - Very little impact, simply cannot adjust to this position no matter how much Tata Martino tries.

Substitutes

LB: Jordi Alba ('67 for Allen) - 8/10 - Brought more stability to the backline, and creativity to the offense.

CM: Dixon Arroyo ('75 for Gregore) - N/A

ST: Robbie Robertson ('75 for Cremaschi) - N/A

Manager

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino - 7/10 - Made the necessary changes to the starting 11 given the injuries, but not convinced at playing David Gomez and Benjamin Cremaschi out of position.

Player of the match - Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC)