Connect with us

Miami, FL

Inter Miami upset 2.0? Nashville SC force Game 3 | MLSSoccer.com

Published

on

Inter Miami upset 2.0? Nashville SC force Game 3 | MLSSoccer.com


The Coyotes fought to a memorable 2-1 win at GEODIS Park on Saturday, keeping their Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs hopes alive behind goals from Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer.

Lionel Messi pulled one back late for the Herons, but Nashville held on to send the Round One Best-of-3 Series down to the wire.

Advertisement

Both sides will play for a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Nov. 8 at Chase Stadium.

“I think our group was committed to responding to play our way here at home,” said head coach B.J. Callaghan, praising his side’s response from a 3-1 loss in Game 1.

“We did that from the opening whistle. And it’s just about making sure that we take that mentality with us, no matter if we’re home or away, in another game where it’s win or go home.”

Advertisement

Statement performance

After conceding eight goals to Miami across their last two meetings, the Coyotes put in a monumental defensive effort to hold the visitors to just a single, late goal.

Advertisement

“You can talk a lot about tactics and on-the-field stuff. I think this game wasn’t so much about that,” said Bauer, who started at left back in place of the injured Daniel Lovitz. “You know, we made little tweaks and we watched the video and did some things differently.

“But this game, this game was between the ears and in your hearts. And you could see that, I think, from everyone tonight. Little cold and rainy. Perfect for us just to be dogs out there.”

Saturday was Nashville’s 10th meeting against Miami since Messi’s arrival in the summer of 2023. They hadn’t won any of those, notably losing the Leagues Cup 2023 final and being knocked out of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup by the South Florida side, among other setbacks.

Advertisement

For the Coyotes, it was important to remind themselves – and the league – that it’s not as one-sided a rivalry as recent history might indicate.

“We can go toe to toe like we did tonight and play the type of game that we want to play,” said Bauer. “We talk about the game within the game and all the little extra stuff that goes on. We’ve got to be nasty. We’ve got to show that. But I think this gives us a lot of confidence, the first time beating Miami and kind of getting that monkey off our back.”

Advertisement

2024 all over again?

Heading into a pivotal Game 3, Nashville hope to ensure Miami exit the playoffs in Round One for the second year in a row.

The 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners suffered an all-time upset last season when No. 9 seed Atlanta United overcame a Game 1 loss by winning the next two matches to send that year’s favorites packing.

Advertisement

While that certainly has to be in the back of Nashville’s mind, they’re focusing less on Atlanta’s performance last year and more on the successes they’ve already had in 2025. Winning the US Open Cup, their first trophy in club history, has given them the belief – and the hardware – to validate the idea that they can win crucial, knockout matches against great teams.

“We’re in a constant state of trying to get better… and we get better from using those past experiences,” said Callaghan. “There’s a lot of things that we can point to. Like playing in an elimination tournament like the Open Cup… There’s that pressure of it’s win or go home. That’s an easy one.”

Advertisement

“It’s hard to win on the road in this league, and we know it’s going to take an effort even greater than what we had tonight to beat them on the road,” added Bauer. “I know that B.J. and the rest of the staff are going to have us prepared and ready to go and put our best foot forward.

“These are when the lights are the brightest. We’ve got to be up for it.”

Advertisement





Source link

Miami, FL

Miami-Dade barber says customer assaulted him with gun after dispute over haircut

Published

on

Miami-Dade barber says customer assaulted him with gun after dispute over haircut


MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — What should have been a routine Tuesday at a Miami-Dade barbershop quickly turned violent, according to the shop’s owner, Samuel Wilson.

Leer en español

Wilson, who owns Square Cutz in Perrine, said a longtime customer became upset during a haircut and began arguing with him about his hairline.

Video from inside the barbershop shows the dispute escalating.

Advertisement

The customer briefly left the shop. Moments later, the video shows him returning with a gun, pointing it at Wilson as two children watched nearby and another customer attempted to intervene.

“He wasn’t a man when he had that gun,” Wilson said. “He slapped me in the head with it, choked me out.”

Wilson said he recognized the man and had cut his hair “many times before.” He added that the customer was wearing a county uniform during the confrontation.

“I did not think he was going to come around here and come back,” Wilson said. “I thought we might have fisticuffs … but I didn’t think he was going to come back with a firearm. I told him, man, have a good day.”

Despite the attack, Wilson said he does not plan to leave the community where he opened his business five years ago.

Advertisement

“This is a safe place for anybody,” he said.

Wilson said he hopes to move forward, even as he continues to process what happened.

“I don’t hold no grudges,” he said. “I can’t say I can forgive him. But I hope the best for you, homie. Have a good day and have a good life.”

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Miami, FL

One huge Miami Heat X-Factor, defending the Detroit Pistons and other keys

Published

on

One huge Miami Heat X-Factor, defending the Detroit Pistons and other keys


The match-up on Saturday night between the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons is more than just a homecoming game for one specific sharpshooter. The number one seed vs the number three seed in the Eastern Conference is quite the draw.

Duncan Robinson making his return to the building is a fun storyline as well, considering the Heat will be giving him a tribute video pregame.

The Heat will be trying to extend their winning streak to seven, yet it should be their biggest test to date.

Advertisement

So, let’s get into some keys for this matchup:

1. How will the rotation shake out now?

Advertisement

Nov 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts agains the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of an NBA Cup game at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Advertisement

Jaime Jaquez Jr’s questionable tag in this game is the one swing factor for game-plans shifting for Miami. Other than that, it’s pretty simple how the Heat need to treat this rotation. For one, many of the fans in favor of Kel’el Ware starting may be in for a treat tonight, as the positional size of the Pistons could cause problems with Heat going small. Aside from the starting lineup talk, staggering Norman Powell and Tyler Herro instead of a five man bench unit again is important. Running Powell with that second unit to allow him to find his offensive rhythm is a definite key. Will the Heat need Simone Fontecchio’s shooting? Can they play both Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith? A tough matchup like this will shine light on the guys Erik Spoelstra trusts most.

2. One X-Factor Heat player tonight.

Advertisement

Dec 7, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) celebrates with guard Tyler Herro (14) after Herro made a three-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

There’s a real X-Factor in this match-up that I believe will be a big reason if the Heat do indeed extend their winning streak to seven. It’s not their two elite scorers in the back-court. It’s not their two-way big man captain. It’s not even their second year 7 footer who has been on a massive run. Actually, the guy to watch for is Andrew Wiggins. For one, he’s the guy to watch when it comes to evening out lineups across the game, just due to his off-ball fit in many spots. But in this match-up, his defense will absolutely be needed. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren in the front-court aside, Ausar Thompson and Cade Cunningham are not easy covers for small guards. Wiggins will be needed to stay out of foul trouble, and bother their lengthy perimeter guys much of the night.

Advertisement

3. What to watch for when defending the Pistons?

Mar 19, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) and center Bam Adebayo (13) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Pistons roster consists of constant paint threats that can hurt you in different ways. Duren around the rim off second chance opportunities or lobs. Thompson or Harris on short paint shots. Cunningham off normal dribble penetration. Yet with all that two point success, they currently rank 28th in three point attempts. Sometimes the Heat’s early clock offense can get them in trouble when taking too many twos, but the Pistons style doesn’t consist of jacking up three balls all night. But the area that will hurt is the free throw line. Detroit ranks third in free throw attempts a night, and it’s the simplest way to slow down Miami’s offense. Easier said than done, but Miami needs to prioritize containing in this one.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Inter Miami vs. New York City FC: Three Key Battles That Could Decide MLS Eastern Conference Final

Published

on

Inter Miami vs. New York City FC: Three Key Battles That Could Decide MLS Eastern Conference Final


Inter Miami are in the form of their lives. They hope this continues when they welcome New York City FC to Chase Stadium on Saturday night for the Eastern Conference final, with a berth in the 2025 MLS Cup on the line. 

While Miami brings star power and holds home pitch advantage, they come up against a New York City side riding high after eliminating the Supporters’ Shield winners. And there are reasons for NYCFC to believe they can pull off another upset here. 

Sports Illustrated takes a look at three key battles that could define which team earns the honor of facing San Diego FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS Cup on Dec. 6 

Lionel Messi, Matt Freese

Lionel Messi (left) looks to get the better of Matt Freese (right) in the playoffs. / Jeff Dean/Getty Images, Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Lionel Messi has been on an absolute heater for Inter Miami all season and has taken things a step further in the playoffs. After a regular season that saw him score 29 goals and register 19 assists in 29 games, he now has six goals and six assists in just four playoff games. 

Advertisement

But, he hasn’t seen a goalkeeper like U.S. men’s national team backstop, Matt Freese. The 27-year-old has been in stellar form as well, posting five saves–including four outstanding stops–against the Philadelphia Union, to help NYCFC advance past the Supporters’ Shield champions. 

While Messi has shown his ability to score in nearly every way possible, the clear-cut opportunities he saw and created against FC Cincinnati and Nashville will be fewer against a stronger defensive team. The opportunities he does get will come up against a better goalie between the posts. 

If NYCFC pulls off the upset, Freese will have a big part to play in it. If he’s not on his game, well, Miami can put together its plans to beat San Diego or the Whitecaps in MLS Cup. 

Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets will battle in midfield against Kevin O’Toole. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Kevin O’Toole has had quite a few weeks. He was called up to Ireland for the first time, making the bench as the Irish beat Portugal in a game Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off. Now, he’s clashing with Sergio Busquets in midfield, as well as Messi and the other stars in Miami. 

If anyone is playing with confidence, it’s him. Against Philadelphia, he shut down Danley Jean Jaques and recorded eight defensive contributions.

Advertisement

He will likely be paired with Aidan O’Neill (who served a one-match suspension against Philadelphia) and tasked with combating Busquets in central midfield, and working the ball away from the Spaniard and Rodrigo De Paul. Busquets, in particular, has been potent with his ability to slide passes through Nashville and FC Cincinnati’s midfield and clogging things up in that area of the pitch will be critical for NYCFC. 

Lionel Messi - MLS Cup

Lionel Messi was unable to help Inter Miami to a win in the 2025 Leagues Cup final against Seattle Sounders FC. / Rich Lam/Getty Images

Outside of the individual player level, the mentality of both teams is starkly different, with NYCFC on the road and Inter Miami facing a match of defining proportions. 

Led by the veteran poise of Maxi Moralez, New York City FC knows how to win playoff games on the road. In their run to the 2021 MLS Cup title, NYCFC played every game after the first round on the road, just as they would have to do should they make it all the way to the trophy this time around. 

Meanwhile, Miami has fallen short in the most defining games. So far through the playoffs, it has been about seeing off disaster in the wake of the 2024 first-round elimination against Atlanta United. 

They have been able to push the season through two rounds for the first time in club history, but now comes their first massive test–they would even get to lift the Eastern Conference trophy should they win here. 

Advertisement

Miami’s ability to win trophies doesn’t paint a pretty picture: A 2024 Leagues Cup final loss and a 2023 U.S. Open Cup loss hangs alongside their 2023 Leagues Cup title, the only knockout trophy Miami has captured to date.

On Saturday, one of those aspects has to fall. Will it be NYCFC’s away abilities, or Miami’s poor record in big games? 

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending