After being doubts for Inter Miami's match against Toronto FC, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba exited Wednesday's match with Toronto FC in the first half with fatigue, while the Argentine also deals with an injury "scar," according to his manager Tata Martino.
After Martino spoke of needing to rest his stars who missed the Herons' last match against Atlanta United due to fatigue, it's a change that felt like a planned one to get them minutes while also saving them for the U.S. Open Cup final in seven days against the Houston Dynamo. Neither appeared to be injured when coming off the pitch as both took a seat on the bench after greeting Martino, who said the subs were not planned.
Martino confirmed that the withdrawal was due to fatigue but also ruled them out of Sunday's match against Orlando City SC. With it being fatigue-related, that's why it wasn't serious enough for either player to undergo additional treatment or be sent to the locker room. Martino didn't rule them out of the Open Cup final but he did cast doubt over if they may feature.
Don't miss CBS Sports Golazo Network's Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs you need to follow the Beautiful Game in every corner of the globe, every Monday-Friday all year long
"They trained normally and we felt like they were ready to play. I don't believe it's anything new or anything worse than what they have. It's fatigue. I don't think it's a muscular injury," Martino said after the game.
"I know we have a final to play but they won't go near the pitch if they can't play."
In regards to Messi, Martino said that Messi was dealing with a "scar" of an old injury, though it is a bit unclear as to what he meant, potentially being that he is just feeling a little sore or that he re-aggravated his light muscle knock earlier this month. His subbing off does feel like a precaution and a chance to rest his superstar before the biggest match in club history up until now.
This is the situation Martino was trying to avoid with his star players ahead of the Open Cup Final. Messi had his hands on his knees and was replaced by Robert Taylor. Alba left the field under his own power and was replaced by Noah Allen, so it could be a precautionary move, but it will be something to watch.
After coming into the match for an injured Victor Vazquez, Brandon Servania now needs to be helped off the pitch. He'll be replaced by Franco Ibarra as Toronto will have now used two of their subsitiution windows in the first half of play.
He wrggled to get free in the box and was able to get a shot off but Toronto's defense was where they needed to be. Michael Bradley held the Argentine up just enough to get help before the shot ended up in the back of the net. Both teams have had their chances in the early going as it feels quite even.
Callender was there to stop the first chance but then a follow up went right off the post before the danger was finally cleared. The Herons followed up with a chance of their own via Josef Martinez but Toronto is knocking as the midfield is streahced already 15 minutes in.
In the first few minutes of play a Toronto mistake gave Josef Martinez the ball in a dangerous area but he couldn't make anything happen with it. That could be a chance that Miami looks back on if this is a close match.
It's time for the Herons to get things going as Toronto looks to see if they can spoil Miami's goal of making playoffs.
The attack is as expected as Tomas Romero will deputize in goal
Starters: Romero, Franklin, Rosted, Bradley, Vazquez, Petrettua, Coello, Osorio, Bernadeschi, Kerr, Insigne
Miami's attack is closer to normal as Lionel Messi starts alongside Josef Martinez. Tata Martino also shifts to a back three to try and combat the defensive errors that let Atlanta United score five goals with Kryvtsov returning to the heart of the defense. Jordi Alba also returns as well.
Starting XI: Callender, Jordi Alba, Miller, Kryvtsov, Aviles, Yedlin, Farias, Ruiz, Busquets, Martinez, Messi
The Herons are back home for a clash with Toronto FC. While Toronto are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, new manager John Herdman is working to tighten things up with the team. It may not be enough to stop Miami from scoring goals but it could make the match more competitive as Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi are both top attackers in the side.
