Inter Miami vs Cavalier FC: Magic Suarez wins it again for Messi-less Miami 2025

Inter Miami vs Cavalier FC, Inter Miami kicked off their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 campaign with a solid 2-0 win against Cavalier FC on Thursday night, despite the absence of their star player, Lionel Messi. The game, played at Chase Stadium, showcased Miami’s dominance, but it wasn’t a straightforward win as Cavalier FC put up an impressive fight for most of the match.

With Tadeo Allende opening the scoring in the 61st minute and Luis Suarez sealing the victory in the 83rd minute, Miami now takes a 2-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg in Jamaica on March 13.

Messi’s absence raised questions about Miami’s attacking prowess, but his teammates managed to grind out an important win. With the return leg approaching and Messi’s availability still uncertain, Inter Miami will be looking to advance further in the tournament.

Let’s dive deeper into the match highlights, player performances, and what’s next for Inter Miami and Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami vs Cavalier FC: No Messi No problem, Saurez is here.

First Half – Cavalier FC Holds Strong

The match started with Cavalier FC pressing aggressively, making it clear that they were not intimidated by the MLS Supporters’ Shield winners.

• 28th minute: Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin nearly broke the deadlock, missing a flying attempt that grazed the outside of the right post.
• 33rd minute: Calvin forced a deflection from Inter Miami defender David Martinez, nearly sneaking a shot past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
• 45th minute: A controversial moment arrived just before halftime when Shaquille Stein appeared to score following a corner kick. Cavalier celebrated for nearly five minutes, only for VAR to overturn the goal due to an offside call.

At halftime, despite Cavalier’s 3-1 advantage in shots, the score remained 0-0, leaving Inter Miami frustrated and looking for answers.

Second Half – Inter Miami Breaks Through

Inter Miami came out with renewed energy after the break, flipping the momentum in their favor.

• 61st minute – GOAL! Tadeo Allende put Miami ahead with a well-struck shot from his left foot, finally breaking Cavalier’s resistance.
• 83rd minute – GOAL! Luis Suarez doubled the lead, finishing off a well-worked move to ensure Inter Miami took a commanding 2-0 aggregate advantage heading into the second leg.

Miami dominated possession in the second half, reversing the shot count to 10-6 in their favor by the final whistle.

Final Score: Inter Miami 2-0 Cavalier FC

✅ Goals: Tadeo Allende (61′), Luis Suarez (83′)
✅ Aggregate Score: Inter Miami 2-0 Cavalier FC
✅ Next Match: Second Leg on March 13 in Kingston, Jamaica

Inter Miami vs Cavalier FC: Player Ratings

Inter Miami Player Ratings

⭐ Oscar Ustari (8/10): The goalkeeper made some crucial stops, especially in the first half when Cavalier was pressing hard.

⭐ Jordi Alba (7.5/10): Despite a defensive error leading to a big Cavalier chance, Alba recovered and provided some dangerous forward runs.

⭐ David Martinez (7/10): A solid performance, apart from a deflection that nearly led to a goal in the first half.

⭐ Tadeo Allende (8.5/10): Scored the crucial first goal, showcasing his sharp finishing ability.

⭐ Luis Suarez (8/10): Looked lively in attack and was rewarded with a goal late in the game.

⭐ Robert Taylor (7/10): A creative force in midfield, Taylor played an important role in keeping Miami’s attack moving.

Cavalier FC Player Ratings

⭐ Shaquille Stein (7.5/10): Unlucky to have his goal ruled out, but he was a persistent threat.

⭐ Jalmaro Calvin (7.5/10): Missed two key chances in the first half but was one of Cavalier’s most dangerous players.

⭐ Rudolph Speid (7/10): The Cavalier coach set up his team well, but they lacked the finishing touch.

Key Takeaways From Inter Miami vs Cavalier FC

1. Inter Miami Survives Without Lionel Messi

Messi’s absence was noticeable, particularly in the first half when Miami lacked creativity in the final third. However, they managed to step up in the second half, proving they can grind out wins even when their star player is unavailable.

2. Cavalier FC Deserved More

The Jamaican club performed admirably and could have stolen a goal or two if not for VAR and missed chances. They will be confident heading into the home leg in front of 35,000 fans.

3. Luis Suarez Proves His Worth

While many questioned Suarez’s ability to still perform at a high level, the Uruguayan striker delivered when it mattered most. His late goal helped secure a comfortable lead for Miami.

4. Defensive Concerns for Miami

Inter Miami’s defense struggled at times, particularly in the first half. Jordi Alba’s mistake nearly led to a goal, and Cavalier looked dangerous on the counter. Tighter defending will be needed in the second leg.

5. The Second Leg Will Be Electric

With 35,000 fans expected in Kingston, Cavalier FC will have home advantage and will be looking for an upset victory to overturn the 2-0 deficit. Miami will need to remain disciplined to ensure qualification.

What’s Next for Lionel Messi?

Upcoming Inter Miami Matches

• 🏆 March 10: vs. Charlotte FC (MLS)
• 🏆 March 13: vs. Cavalier FC (Champions Cup Second Leg)
• 🇦🇷 March 21 & 26: International friendlies with Argentina

Messi has been rested strategically after playing eight games in 40 days from January to February. His next appearance is still uncertain, but he could return against Charlotte FC before deciding whether to play in the Champions Cup second leg in Jamaica.

Conclusion

Inter Miami secured a crucial 2-0 win over Cavalier FC despite Messi’s absence. Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez provided the goals, while Oscar Ustari kept a clean sheet.

With Messi’s return still uncertain, Miami will need another strong performance in the second leg in Kingston to seal qualification for the Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Can Inter Miami finish the job without Messi, or will Cavalier FC pull off a stunning comeback? Let us know your thoughts below! 👇⚽

Señoras y señores… el mejor 9️⃣ del siglo 🇺🇾😮‍💨 @LuisSuarez9 pic.twitter.com/oKeXs4sM5I

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 7, 2025

FAQs

1. Why didn’t Lionel Messi play against Cavalier FC?

Messi was rested for the match after a packed schedule of eight games in 40 days.

2. When is the second leg of Inter Miami vs Cavalier FC?

The second leg will be played on March 13, 2025, at National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica.

3. Who were the goal scorers in Inter Miami vs Cavalier FC?

Tadeo Allende (61′) and Luis Suarez (83′) scored for Inter Miami.

4. What happens if Cavalier FC wins the second leg?

If Cavalier FC wins 2-0, the game will go to extra time. If they win by 3+ goals, they will advance to the next round.

5. When is Messi’s next possible match?

Messi could return on March 10 against Charlotte FC or March 13 in the second leg vs. Cavalier FC.

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