Inter Miami failed to make their chances count in a frustrating draw with Atlanta United on Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale.
Brek Shea thought he had scored the winner again against former club Atlanta United when he came off the bench to net a deserved opener for the home side 10 minutes from time.
But another substitute in Jake Mulraney spoiled the party with an equaliser within minutes to to ensure a snatch and grab point for the Five Stripes after what was an otherwise dominant performance from Miami.
Inter started brightly, Lewis Morgan playing in Higuain just after the five-minute mark but he was denied twice by Brad Guzan in the Atlanta goal.
The pressure continued and Atlanta barely had a look-in as Miami continued its pressure, Higuain again coming close when his low free-kick deflected just wide of the post.
Fútbol in ?? #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/yNvj8CW5e6
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 15, 2020
Diego Alsonso’s men just couldn’t find the breakthrough in the first half and the second half continued in the same vein, Lewis Morgan firing a free-kick just inches over the bar and Matias Pellegrini guiding a shot just wide following a Morgan cross.
Guzan was again called into action after the hour mark when Nicolas Figal of all people struck a stinger from more than 30 yards out.
The chances continued when Morgan again forced Guzan into a save from a free-kick, this time from out wide, and Ben Sweat fizzed a low shot just wide from the angle.
And then finally, the breakthrough arrived on the 79th minute when substitute Brek Shea arrived at the back post to turn in Morgan’s superb cross from the right-hand side.
79′ | @BrekShea with the breakthrough goal! #InterMiamiCF #MIAvATL pic.twitter.com/xk89j0q8rl
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 15, 2020
Shea once again turning up to haunt his former club with a fine finish inside the near post – a thoroughly deserved goal for the home side.
But just like so many games already this season, Miami’s guard dropped after scoring and Atlanta would get an equaliser inside four minutes.
Jurgen Damm got in behind down the right-hand side before cutting back to setup for an easy finish for substitute Mulraney, Atlanta exploiting poor defending from Figal.
83′ | GOOOAL ATLANTA‼️
What a team effort for the equalizer ?#ATLUTD 1-1 @InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/G3wiveS4Vl
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 15, 2020
And that was that. A game Inter Miami deserved so much from but had to settle for a point with their fragility after scoring once again coming back to haunt them.
Though, there were positives aplenty for Alonso and Inter who are now unbeaten in three ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Montreal Impact.
Speaking after the game, Alonso said: “It’s difficult to play better than we did today. I think that this is how we’ve been playing for several matches and when you lose your concentration for a moment after playing such a good match, it’s difficult to explain.
“If I’m not mistaken we took [21] shots compared to three from them, it’s a big difference and it should’ve been bigger on the scoreboard.
“The frustration is to be expected for not being able to get a win after playing a match in which you clearly deserve one, but we have to keep our heads high, have confidence in the players and believe.”
