Lionel Messi and Inter Miami left Music City singing the blues. Messi failed to convert a penalty, and a no-call when the Argentine superstar went down ended in one of Nashville SC's four goals in a 4-1 victory Saturday, Aug. 15, that saw the Coyotes move to the top of the MLS Supporters' Shield standings. The defeat was the second league match in a row that Inter Miami was unable to win and the third loss across all competitions, coming on the heels of the team crashing out of the Leagues Cup. Inter Miami was eliminated in the group stage of the joint tournament in which MLS and Liga MX teams vie for the same trophy for the first time in the club's history.
Messi also is dealing with an intense personal struggle after the passing of his father, Jorge, earlier this month. Inter Miami defender Gonzalo Luján said the team can't focus on a negative result like the one in Tennessee, but rather must continue to show team unity. "We’re coming off a difficult run of results, and we were knocked out of a competition that we had very high hopes for," the center back said. "But, like I said, we have to stay together and all pull in the same direction, because that’s the only way we’re going to turn this around." The defeat means Nashville is now five points clear of Miami at the top of the East, but there is plenty of time for the Herons – or another rival – to catch Nashville.
Yet, Nashville also is improving with summer signing Elias Saad earning a pair of assists in just his second MLS match and forward Sam Surridge back at full fitness after missing time earlier this season. "They're committed to the bigger vision of what we're trying to accomplish," Nashville manager B.J. Callaghan said of his stars after the win. "They're willing to work for each other, work for the team. As much as the attack was happening, there were periods when we had all 10 players behind the ball defending." Both teams now have a quick turnaround ahead of midweek matches, with Nashville traveling to meet the New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami returning home to face the Philadelphia Union. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi, Inter Miami looking for answers after Nashville wins 4-1