Lionel Messi returns, but Inter Miami playoff hopes die with 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati

It was Fan Appreciation Day at DRV PNK Stadium Saturday night, and in addition to free pink bucket hats, Inter Miami fans got the gift they had been desperately craving for weeks: the return of Lionel Messi.

The Argentine star was back in his No. 10 pink jersey for a critical match against first-place FC Cincinnati after missing five of the previous six games due to an upper leg injury. He came off the bench in the 55^th minute to much fanfare, but this time could not pull off a miracle.

Inter Miami lost 1-0 after a 78^th minute goal by Alvaro Barreal and was eliminated from MLS playoff contention with two games remaining in the regular season. Miami needed to win its three final games, plus get help from other teams, to reach the post-season.

It did not happen. Not even the greatest player in the world could salvage their chances.

Miami stayed in 14^th place and dropped to 9-17-6 with 33 points. Even a pair of back-to-back victories (six points) against Charlotte FC later this month won’t be enough, as D.C. United, New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire all sit at an unreachable 40 points.

“It doesn’t feel good, it was a goal of ours to get into the playoffs,” said goalkeeper Drake Callender, whose big saves kept Miami in the game all night on his 26th birthday. “Definitely a tough night for us as a team. It was an exciting game. Cincinnati is a good team. We knew our hands would be full. We had opportunities, but it didn’t fall our way.”

Defender DeAndre Yedlin added: “It’s disappointing, we wanted more from the game and were trying to make a little run to get into the playoffs. But it didn’t happen. We have to look forward.”

After the game, Messi did a lap around the field to salute the fans, as it was most likely his last home game of the season. Miami has one more home game Oct. 18 against Charlotte FC, but Messi will be with the Argentina national team for an Oct. 17 match against Peru and will not be able to play a day later for Miami.

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino conceded that Messi was a bit rusty after playing just 37 minutes since Sept. 3, but said he was fully fit and just was missing playing time.

As for his analysis of the game, and the season to this point, Martino said Miami had chances to win in the first half but failed to convert a few chances. Three shots went off the frame. Miami had 64 percent of the possession and outshot Cincinnati 10 to three in the first half, but the game remained scoreless.

“The post had other plans for us tonight,” Callender said. “It’s really a game of inches. Those were great shots, great chances we had. Any other night those go in and we’re looking at a lead going into halftime.”

Miami went from five in the back to four in the second half to chase the win, but that opened up room for Cincinnati’s attackers and they took advantage.

As for the season since he took over in July, Martino said it played out “completely opposite” from what he anticipated.

“I thought we would put the team together, start to put in our system, not expect much from the Leagues Cup, compete well in the U.S. Open Cup because it was only two games, and then make a run into the playoffs,” Martino said. “It came out completely opposite, which is normally what happens when a coach thinks something. The loaded schedule and injuries really hurt us. Any team that loses a DP (Designated Player Messi) and an almost DP (Jordi Alba) is going to feel it.

“But if you look at how the season started, if you note that of three possible tournaments we won one, the reality is that is a good achievement for us. The league has 28 teams. Houston won (U.S. Open Cup), we won (Leagues Cup), and someone will win the MLS Cup. That means 25 teams will not win one. And now, the hard work begins for our future.”

The loss dampened the mood that began on a high when Messi showed up at the stadium.

“Messi! Messi!” chants began the moment he headed to the corner of the field to warm up. When he headed to the center line and pulled off his green vest, the stadium erupted as fans raised their cell phones to capture the moment.

He made a few nice passes, but sailed his first free kick high. His second free kick in the 90^th minute didn’t result in anything. Then, in added time, Messi was awarded a third free kick just outside box, one last chance to keep Miami’s postseason hopes alive.

He didn’t convert. And Cincinnati clinched the win.

Inter Miami, a team that was unbeatable during a Leagues Cup championship run over the summer, is on a downward slide with three losses and two ties over the last five games.

The team sorely missed Messi as its playoff hopes had grown dimmer with each recent game. He scored 11 goals and led Miami to a 12-game unbeaten streak upon his much-hyped arrival in mid-July, but the team went winless in the five games he sat out and scored just four goals in that stretch.

“We missed him a ton,” Yedlin said. “There’s a reason he’s a DP (Designated Player). There’s a reason he’s the greatest player in history. He scores goals. He creates goals. And he makes everyone around him better. So, we missed him.”

Messi was called up to Argentina’s national team for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay Oct. 12 and Peru Oct. 17. He is expected to travel on Sunday and begin training in Buenos Aires on Monday, along with Inter Miami teammate Facundo Farias, who also was called into the Argentine camp.