Miami, FL
Inter Miami falls 4-1 to Minnesota United, biggest loss with Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was powerless to prevent Inter Miami from slipping to its biggest defeat in MLS play since his arrival in North America, falling 4-1 at Minnesota United on Saturday.
Previously, there had only been one two-goal defeat with Messi, a 1-3 home loss to Atlanta United in May last year.
Messi got on the scoresheet early in the second half, but it made little difference, with Miami already two goals behind by that point. Worse was to follow, with United adding two more midway through the half and running out a dominant victor.
Given Minnesota’s strong start to the season, this was never expected to be an easy road game for the Argentinean World Cup winner and his colleagues, but even so, the size of the margin was a surprise, even given Miami’s recent difficulties. In the Messi era, Miami’s previous biggest MLS defeat had been a two-goal margin.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane got things going for the hosts after 32 minutes, striking successfully from close range after being set up by fine movement from Carlos Harvey and Joaquín Pereyra.
In first-half stoppage time, Anthony Markanich nodded home the second, courtesy of a long throw into the area and a flick on, plus some sleepy Miami defending.
Inter Miami’s hopes of a revival briefly flickered when Messi scored after the break, collecting the ball from Jordi Alba and finding a sliver of space in the penalty, before bouncing a shot into the corner of the Minnesota net.
But Marcelo Weigandt snuffed out those ambitions with an own goal at 68 minutes. The unfortunate defender embarrassingly turned the ball into his own net as confusion reigned following a free-kick from the left.
By now, Inter was fully rattled, and Robin Lod provided the final blow two minutes later, clipping home a clinical finish from the edge of the area to establish the three-goal buffer.
Over the past month, the Florida side has won just two of seven games, one of those coming on the road at the surging Columbus Crew. Mixed in were a pair of defeats to Vancouver in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, a home setback to FC Dallas and Saturday’s embarrassment.
Luis Suárez was missing for Miami, for whom head coach Javier Mascherano was unable to find any significant way to cause problems for the Minnesota backline.
Messi and company must now try to regroup on Wednesday with a visit to the San Jose Earthquakes, coached by former men’s national team chief Bruce Arena. This reverse means Miami sits down in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings after 11 games.
(Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / Imagn Images)
Miami, FL
Ole Miss S Nick Cull’s targeting call reversed vs Miami in Peach Bowl
Should the CFP committee rethink the playoff schedule format?
Extended breaks and logistical challenges have reopened questions about whether the College Football Playoff committee should adjust the playoff schedule format.
Mississippi football’s Nick Cull avoided an ejection during the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 8.
As Malachi Toney reeled in a catch from Carson Beck at the Miami 49 in the first quarter, he was hit by Cull in a helmet-to-helmet collision. Right away, the officials flagged Cull for targeting, with both Toney and Cull staying down on the field with an injury.
After officials reviewed the play, the call on the field was overturned, as the officials determined that Cull did not launch and the collision seemed to be incidental. Replay assistant Matt Austin concurred with the call on the field.
The play had a major impact on the game as well. If the call had been upheld, Miami would have had the ball at the Ole Miss 34-yard line with a chance to expand its 3-0 lead. However, a few plays later, the Hurricanes were forced to punt from the 49-yard line.
On the first play of the second quarter, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacey scored on a 73-yard run to give the Rebels a 7-3 lead.
Because he was not called for targeting, Cull was not ejected from the game, which means Ole Miss will have him for the remainder of the game, if he can clear the concussion protocol. He was in the tent following the play.
Cull has 15 total tackles and three pass deflections this season for the Rebels.
Meanwhile, Toney went to the medical tent briefly for the Hurricanes, but returned to the game.
Miami, FL
Crash involving unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicle impacts morning commute
A crash involving an unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicle was reported in Northwest Miami-Dade on Thursday morning, and the morning commute was impacted as a result.
Few details have been released, but the crash was reported in the area of Northwest 79th street and Interstate 95.
Video from the scene showed that the vehicles had heavy damage.
The sheriff’s office said the crash also involved a civilian vehicle, and no injuries were reported.
No other information was released.
Miami, FL
Miami Heat-Minnesota Timberwolves Final Injury Update: Anthony Edwards’ status divulged
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that guard Anthony Edwards is now available to play in Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Heat after originally being listed as questionable with right foot injury maintenance.
Here’s the rest of the injury report and game preview:
INJURY REPORT
HEAT
Tyler Herro: Available – Toe
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Out – Ankle
Nikola Jovic: Available – Groin
Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team
TIMBERWOLVES
Anthony Edwards: Available – Foot
Terrence Shannon Jr.: Out – Foot
Joan Beringer: Out – G League
Game date, time and location: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 8:00 p.m. EST, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: TV: Peacock,
Radio: 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida) 100.3 FM (Minnesota)
VITALS: The Miami Heat (20-16) and Minnesota Timberwolves (23-13) meet for the second and final regular season matchup after just facing off three days ago with Minnesota recording a, 125-115, win in Miami on January 3. The teams split the series, 1-1, last season with each squad winning on the road. The Heat are 36-35 all-time versus Minnesota during the regular season,
including 19-16 in home games and 17-19 in road games.
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Davion Mitchell
G Tyler Herro
C Bam Adebayo
F Norman Powell
F Andrew Wiggins
TIMBERWOLVES
G Donte DiVincenzo
G Anthony Edwards
C Rudy Gobert
F Jaden McDaniels
F Julius Randle
Spread: Heat +5.5 (-112), Timberwolves -5.5 (-108)
Moneyline: Heat +166, Timberwolves -198
Total points scored: 239.5 (over -106, under -114)
QUOTABLE
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on the forced turnovers: “That is and has to be our identity. We have to play with a recklessness and activity level that exceeds our opponent, and thats not to put down our talent level or anything like that, it’s more about we look different when we’re flying around and making plays and making it tough for the opponent.”
For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.
Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket
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