Inter Miami and Charlotte FC Play to 0-0 Draw as Messi Rests

Mascherano's suspension adds to Inter Miami's challenges ahead of Champions Cup tie

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:37am

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Inter Miami CF and Charlotte FC played to a 0-0 draw in a match that highlighted the increasing importance of squad depth and tactical flexibility in Major League Soccer. Inter Miami rested several key players, including Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, to prioritize an upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Nashville SC. The draw saw the integration of new players like Luis Suárez and Sergio Reguilón into Inter Miami's lineup, while Charlotte FC struggled to capitalize on their full-strength squad.

Why it matters

The strategic decisions made by Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano, including resting starters and integrating new players, demonstrate the growing professionalism of MLS. Teams are increasingly adopting sophisticated approaches to player management and tactical planning to balance league play with continental competitions.

The details

Despite resting ten starters, Inter Miami secured a point on the road against Charlotte FC. The match saw Luis Suárez make his first start of the season for Inter Miami, alongside Sergio Reguilón, recently recovered from injury. Charlotte FC, fielding a full-strength squad, failed to capitalize on Inter Miami's rotated lineup, with ten shots and five on target but no goals. Javier Mascherano's sending-off after a disagreement with the referees will see him miss Inter Miami's next MLS match against NYCFC.

  • The draw came amidst a busy schedule for Inter Miami, with a crucial CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Nashville SC looming.
  • Javier Mascherano will miss Inter Miami's next MLS match against NYCFC due to his suspension.

The players

Lionel Messi

A world-renowned Argentine footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami CF.

Rodrigo De Paul

An Argentine midfielder who plays for Inter Miami CF.

Javier Mascherano

The manager of Inter Miami CF who was sent off in the match against Charlotte FC.

Luis Suárez

A Uruguayan footballer who made his first start of the season for Inter Miami CF.

Sergio Reguilón

A Spanish footballer who recently recovered from injury and played for Inter Miami CF.

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What they’re saying

“We must manage our squad carefully during this busy schedule, prioritizing our upcoming Champions Cup tie. The draw against Charlotte shows the depth of our team and our ability to compete even without our star players.”

— Javier Mascherano, Manager, Inter Miami CF

What’s next

Javier Mascherano's suspension will force Inter Miami to rely on their assistant coaching staff for tactical direction in their next MLS match against NYCFC.

The takeaway

The strategic decisions made by Inter Miami, including resting key players and integrating new talent, highlight the growing professionalism of MLS. Teams are increasingly adopting sophisticated approaches to player management and tactical planning to balance league play with continental competitions.