FORT LAUDERDALE – For the first time, two Floridian teams will be in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Playoffs. Inter Miami CF got there with a win over cellar-dwellers FC Cincinnati. A combination of shot choices and the strong defense was enough for the 2-1 victory.
Shot choice was a big part of the Inter win. The Herons took 13 shots in the match, only four of them coming from outside the box. One of those was the x goal, with another on target and two blocked. Compare that with FCC, which only managed five shots in the box, only one of those on target. Interestingly the Ohioans fared better when shooting from a distance due to a limiting defense from Miami.
Inter was well beaten for possession in this match, ceding 64.7 percent of possession to the visitors. But a stifling defense kept Cincinnati at bay and made it hard for the away side to really come away with clear chances.
Needing a win to seal a place in the Playoffs, Miami defended with their lives, making 10 blocks in the match. Four of those came on shots, almost all of them in the box. The remaining six were breaking up passes, which stopped FC Cincinnati’s flow. Victor Ulloa was especially impressive in this area, coming off the bench and breaking up two passes.
The Roja-Blanco won 11 tackles, compared to Cincinnati’s seven. What’s also significant here is where those tackles were won. Miami wasn’t just waiting for the visitors to come into the final third; seven of the 16 tackle attempts came in midfield.
Another significant contribution to the defensive effort came on dispossessions; this is related to tackles but not always the same number. What’s interesting here is how Miami managed to get more dispossessions, 15, than it had successful tackles. The pressure put on FCC players forced them to give up the ball too frequently.
Inter was dominant in the air, winning nine aerial duels compared to Cinci’s five. This would explain why the visitors quickly sought to keep the ball on the ground, with only 65 of their passes being aerial. Only a third of the goal-kicks launched. By comparison, McCarthy sent all 11 of his goal kicks in the air to take advantage of that stat.
It will be a more significant test with the Playoffs starting and stricter opposition, but there’s good groundwork there. Given how odd the inaugural season has been, this year should be considered a successful season.
(Featured Image Courtesy Inter Miami CF)
Florida Soccer Report 