Nashville SC strike early, extend favored Inter Miami to decider

Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer each scored goals to help host Nashville SC top Inter Miami CF 2-1 on Saturday night and even their first-round MLS Cup playoff series at 1-1.

Nashville SC snapped a 10-game winless streak against Inter Miami and forced a decisive Game 3 that will be played next Saturday, Nov. 8 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. It was Nashville's first win over Inter Miami since May 2023.

Inter Miami, which led MLS this season in goals with 81, was unable to muster much offensive pressure on Nashville's goalkeeper Joe Willis until almost midway through the second half. Lionel Messi finally found the mark in the 90th minute when he took a feed from Rodrigo De Paul and lifted a shot from the corner of the box with his left foot past Willis to cut a 2-0 deficit in half.

But despite six minutes of added time, Inter Miami was unable to muster the equalizer which would have sent the game to a penalty kick shootout.

Nashville is vying to advance past the first round for the first time since 2021. Inter Miami is attempting to avoid the same fate it suffered a year ago when it lost to Atlanta United in the opening round after winning the opening contest of that series.

Surridge, who scored 24 goals during the regular season, was held scoreless in Game 1.

On a rainy night in Nashville, Surridge ended that drought quickly after converting a penalty kick in the ninth minute just moments after drawing a foul inside the box from Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo.

Just before halftime in the 45th minute, Nashville struck on a set piece once again. Bauer controlled a corner kick by Hany Mukhtar and, as he was sliding in, kicked the ball past Rios Novo to give his team its second goal.

Inter Miami didn't force Willis to make a save until the 66th minute when Luis Suarez took a long crossing pass and fired a quick first touch shot at the goal. But Willis blocked it and a subsequent rebound attempt by Ian Fray. Messi nearly snuck one past Willis in the 86th minute with a close range shot, but the Nashville keeper was up to the task again.

Inter Miami outshot Nashville 11-9, but only put three attempts on target and earned only a pair of corners in the match.

--Field Level Media