Nashville SC looked off the pace in South Florida, falling 3-1 to Inter Miami in the first leg of their MLS Cup Playoff series. Lionel Messi scored a brace, with uncharacteristic defensive mistakes plaguing the Boys In Gold.
They'll head back to Geodis Park for the second leg next Saturday, knowing that a win puts them right back in contention, while a loss will end their 2025 season.
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The XI
After a 5-2 loss to Miami last weekend, Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan made two changes to his lineup, bringing in Jeisson Palacios and Bryan Acosta and switching to a three-man midfield, attempting to clog the middle of the pitch and cut out the areas where the Herons tore them apart last time out.
On the pitch
Nashville's setup looked promising for the first 10-15 minutes. With Acosta sitting at the base of midfield, they limited chances for Miami's attackers, and went direct the other way, creating a few decent looks. Unfortunately, their best chance of the night fell to Jacob Shaffelburg, using his pace to breeze into the open field, but he stumbled as he took the shot, which dribbled harmlessly to the 'keeper.
Minutes later, Lionel Messi made them pay again. Catching Nashville's midfield high, he exchanged a quick pass with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez and kept his run into the box. Jeisson Palacios stopped his tracking run, allowing Messi to ghost of his back shoulder and head in the opening goal.
Messi magic in Game One! 💥
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 25, 2025
What a start for @InterMiamiCF. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/6ugOORVHGT
After going behind, Nashville struggled to create anything of note, with Callaghan waiting until late into the second half to make changes. By the time Gastón Brugman and Matt Corcoran came on, Tadeo Allende had already headed in to extend Miami's advantage.
The 'Yotes were slow and reactive until it was too late, a far cry from their excellent first half last week. They weren't helped on the second goal by temporarily playing with 10 men while Palacios was off the field after receiving medical treatment, but they didn't help themselves, either, again making things easy for Miami in front of goal.
Nasvhille attempted to throw numbers forward in the closing stages of the game, finally showing some semblance of life going forward, and boosted by a man-of-the-match shift from Corcoran. But even with 11 minutes of added time, Nashville managed just four shots in the entire second half.
Messi added one final insult at the death. Willis and Zimmerman got in each other's way on what should have been a routine cross, spilling the ball and gifting Messi one of the simplest finishes of his career.
Easy as you like for Leo.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 25, 2025
A postseason brace for Messi in Game One! // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/h58M9JNhTf
Hany Mukhtar salvaged a bit of pride with the final kick of the game, curling a free kick golazo into the top corner.
Too little, too late for Nashville...
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 25, 2025
But what a hit from Hany Mukhtar. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/RSR1gl7urp
Goals
- 19' | MIA | Lionel Messi (Luis Suárez)
- 62' | MIA | Tadeo Allende (Ian Fray)
- 90+6' | MIA | Lionel Messi
- 90+11' | NSH | Hany Mukhtar
The big picture
It's hard to overstate just how different this performance was from their Decision Day showing. Last week, Nashville came out of the gates looking to take the game to Miami, playing their game on their terms. It worked, for a half at least.
Tonight, Nashville seemed almost like they were going into the match trying to limit damage. While they found space a handful of times in the first half, an incredibly wasteful showing from Jacob Shaffelburg saw their best looks go missing, while Sam Surridge was invisible, touching the ball just 14 times in 101 minutes, the fewest by far of any player on the pitch.
Nashville looked timid for most of the match. That's not something we've been able to say about this team for the full year. In a playoff match with nothing to lose, it was a strange sight.
They'll return to Geodis Park for a must-win match, with their 2025 season on the line. Will they attack the game like they did last week? They've got nothing to lose.
Up next
The two sides return to Nashville next Saturday for the second leg of the series. Nashville will need a win to stay alive.
Stats
Possession: MIA 55% – 45% NSH
Total Passes: MIA 425 – 327 NSH
Shots: MIA 12 – 7 NSH
Shots on goal: MIA 6 – 3 NSH
Penalty kicks: MIA 0 – 0 NSH
Goals: MIA 3 – 1 NSH
Expected goals: MIA 1.90 – 0.58 NSH
Fouls: MIA 13 – 18 NSH
Yellow cards: MIA 2 – 1 NSH
Red cards: MIA 0 – 0 NSH
Announced attendance:
