
<p>Lionel Messi returned to the field for Inter Miami as they fought Cincinnati on a rainy night. While the Argentine’s team had high hopes for the postseason, they ultimately fell short after a 1-0 defeat.</p>



<p>In spite of the Herons’ tough playoff odds, the atmosphere at DRV PNK Stadium was upbeat before the game since <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/january-loan-deal-mounting-for-messi-where-could-he-go-20231007-WST-461006.html">Lionel Messi</a> would be available again as a substitute.</p>



<p>The first half belonged to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-miami-tv-schedule/">Miami</a>, but despite having three good opportunities, they were unable to score, as all three attempts hit the woodwork.</p>



<p>Once the teams returned after the break, Cincinnati took control. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was sent out onto the pitch in a desperate attempt to break the deadlock. However, he could do very little since the away side finally scored with 10 minutes left on the clock.</p>



<p>Alvaro Barreal scored the go-ahead goal after Miami goalie Drake Callender mishandled a powerful attempt from Yuya Kubo. Despite their best efforts, the home team was unable to score the equalizer, much alone the game-winning goal they would have needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.</p>



<h5>How did Messi fare against Cincinnati?</h5>



<p>Messi’s two missed free kicks were his only significant contributions. Both attempts flew far past Roman Celentano’s crossbar in goal for Cincinnati, one in the 58th minute and the other in added time.</p>



<p>“His injury is healed, but his rhythm was just off”, Miami boss Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino remarked, via <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38595842/lionel-messi-returns-inter-miami-squad-vs-fc-cincinnati" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a>. “He hasn’t played much, that’s why I only played him 35 minutes.”</p>



<p>The Argentine veteran had played only 37 minutes total in his team’s previous six games leading up to Saturday, with Miami going winless five times without him.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Inter Miami have been eliminated from the MLS playoffs ⛔️🇺🇸<br><br>After their October 21st match, Inter Miami will NOT play another MLS game until late February.<br><br>Since Messi&apos;s debut, Inter Miami only won one of the six games he missed and only lost one of the 13 he&apos;s played in. <a href="https://t.co/VxbvSMILcf">pic.twitter.com/VxbvSMILcf</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1710836835553869949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h5>What now for Messi?</h5>



<p>The 36-year-old will report for international duties with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/argentina-national-team-tv-schedule/">Argentina</a> for their World Cup qualifying campaign. The defending champions host Paraguay on Thursday and travel to Peru the following week.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, Messi won’t play in the Herons’ next match, which comes on October 18 and is a makeup against Charlotte FC. </p>



<p>If he recovers in time, he could be able to play in the second game, which is scheduled for the last day of the regular season and takes place in North Carolina.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</p>


Messi's return not enough: Inter Miami fail to reach MLS playoffs

Inter Miami were eliminated from MLS playoff contention when Lionel Messi made his comeback in a 1-0 defeat to FC Cincinnati.

Messi's return not enough: Inter Miami fail to reach MLS playoffs - World Soccer Talk


<p>After missing out on the playoffs for the second consecutive season, DC United’s Wayne Rooney has decided to step down as head coach. </p>



<p>His 15-month reign saw the struggling MLS team improve but fall short of the playoffs.</p>



<p>The decision to split ways was made public after Saturday’s 2-0 victory against New York City FC at Audi Field. With goals from Mateusz Klich and Chris Durkin on each side of halftime, the home team easily defeated the New York outfit.</p>



<p>Once the regular season was through, they found themselves in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, having been eliminated from playoff contention by other teams’ results. </p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/dc-united-fans-fuming-about-2024-season-ticket-prices-20230922-WST-458038.html">DC United</a> have now gone four seasons without making the playoffs, matching a club record established from 2008-2011.</p>



<h5>What did DC United say?</h5>



<p>“We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time. This decision creates the avenue for our next General Manager to have the full opportunity to impart a new philosophy and structure onto our sporting operations, which begins with the critical identification of a Head Coach who will best align with this.</p>



<p>“We are grateful to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/birmingham-may-try-to-steal-wayne-rooney-from-dc-united-20230907-WST-454545.html">Wayne Rooney</a> for all he has done for our club and for soccer in the Nation’s Capital, first as a D.C. United player and captain and most recently as our coach. He remains an important part of the D.C. United family and a valued and cherished friend”, the club’s CEO, Jason Levien remarked via their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-and-head-coach-wayne-rooney-have-mutually-agreed-to-part-ways">official website</a>.</p>



<h5>What did Wayne Rooney say?</h5>



<p>Rooney played in Washington for 18 months and returned to the team in July 2022 as the head coach. In 2023, under his direction, the Audi Field side improved to a 10-10-14 record.</p>



<p>The Englishman has now informed reporters that he feels the time is now appropriate for a change: “It’s the right time. I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing.”</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</p>


DC United announce Rooney's future as MLS playoffs slip away

Despite a 2-0 victory against New York City, DC United were eliminated from postseason contention and coach Wayne Rooney's future was decided.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Playoff Race"

FC Cincinnati

Messi's return not enough: Inter Miami fail to reach MLS playoffs

DC United

DC United announce Rooney's future as MLS playoffs slip away