Inter Miami coach Tata Martino was not satisfied with the game, particularly the slow starts to both halves, but was relieved his players found a way to earn a result.

“Here, as well as at L.A., when it seemed hopeless, the team doesn’t let down, keeps looking for the goal and we got the prize, which was deserved because we did enough not to lose,” Martino said. “This is a 180-minute game ... we have 90 minutes more to play at home.”

Forward Leo Campana, who had been coming off the bench, was not available as he injured his left leg in training Wednesday.

Newly signed Argentine midfielder Federico Redondo, son of former Real Madrid great Fernando Redondo, made his MLS debut alongside Busquets and Diego Gomez. He struggled at times as he tried to get integrated with his new teammates after arriving less than a week ago.

Messi and Suarez, who combined for four goals in a 5-0 win over Orlando City last weekend, started side by side up top. The back line was Noah Allen, replacing Alba, Nico Freire, Sergiy Kryvtsov, Tomas Aviles and Julian Gressel, playing right back in place of DeAndre Yedlin, who was traded to FC Cincinnati last week.

Drake Callender started in goal. The bench included: CJ Dos Santos, Cole Jensen, Ryan Sailor, Israel Boatwright, David Ruiz, Lawson Sunerland, Robert Taylor and Shanyder Borgelin.

What we learned from the game:

Slow starts a concern

Jacob Shaffelburg got behind the Miami defense and scored in the fourth minute to give Nashville the early lead. He scored again in the 46th minute. Nashville seemed to take a 3-1 lead in the 83rd minute, but Shaq Moore’s goal was waved off for being offside.

It was not the first time Miami fell behind early, and Martino suggested Nashville came out with more intensity than his team did.

...continued

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.