This Match recap is presented by Powerful Foods
Inter Miami CF fell to a narrow 2-1 loss to FC Dallas in a midweek match at Toyota Stadium.
"I think that we did things well for moments in the second half. The penalty put them in the match a lot more because we were dominating the spaces and it was a calm match. I think the penalty put them back in it and from there they grew into the match and had more chances," said manager Diego Alonso. "We'll try to adjust for the next match. We're still in a fight for the playoffs and we have two more matches. So, we have a lot of hope, we have dreams and we'll try to achieve them."
Inter Miami lined up for the match with all three Designated Players in the starting XI for the first time, as the trio of Gonzalo Higuaín, Matías Pellegrini and Rodolfo Pizarro had only featured together in a 23 minute came at the end of the team’s Oct. 3 matchup with NYCFC.
John McCarthy was called into action in the 17th minute and the goalkeeper was up to the task, diving and slapping away a threatening header from Dallas defender Ryan Hollingshead after a set piece delivery found him in the box.
In the 28th minute Inter Miami was forced into an early change, subbing on Dylan Nealis for the injured Nicolás Figal.
In the 33rd minute, Inter Miami found their breakthrough goal as the team’s three Designated Players combined to put the visitors ahead 0-1; Pellegrini recovered possession and quickly passed the ball ahead to Higuaín, who then played a clever pass between defenders and into Pizarro in the box. The Mexican international calmly claimed the pass, waited for his moment, and struck a low shot across the keeper and into the back of the net. The goal was Pizarro’s fourth of the season, tied for the second-most on the team, while Higuaín and Pellegrini registered their second and fourth assists, respectively.
FC Dallas responded in the second half, finding an equalizing goal from the penalty spot after the referee blew his whistle for a foul in the box. Argentine forward Franco Jara stepped up and scored the penalty, tying the match at 1-1.
In the 82nd minute, Dallas claimed the lead through a goal by Hollingshead. Right back Bryan Reynolds played a ball across the face of goal from the endline that found its way to Hollingshead, who turned it into the net to make it 2-1.
Despite efforts from Inter Miami, the match finished with the 2-1 scoreline. Inter Miami remains in playoff position, holding onto the last spot with 21 points.
Inter Miami will travel for its final regular season away match Sunday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. ET when the team faces Toronto FC at Rentschler Field.
