Despite the roster including Messi’s three former Barcelona teammates, Inter Miami is a different team with and without the Argentine star. Miami has gone winless in eight of the past nine games without Messi. It isn’t just what he does himself with the ball, but the confidence he injects in all his teammates with his mere presence on the field.

It appeared they had learned to win without him last weekend, with a 3-1 road victory against D.C. United, but were unable to duplicate that performance.

Messi elevates everyone’s level. Players know if they get the ball to him, something positive is bound to happen. They have not yet developed that kind of confidence in other players. Also, when he is on the field, the opponent is so focused on him that other players are left free to roam and create. That is not the case when Messi is missing.

That said, Martino and Campana refused to use Messi’s absence as an excuse.

“On one hand, the absence of the best player in the world is important for all of us, but last week against D.C. Leo (Messi) didn’t play, either,” Martino said.

Campana added: “Obviously, whenever Leo doesn’t play it’s a big loss, and we had several player missing for national teams, but that is not an excuse. Those of us who got opportunities have to take charge, turn the page and look forward to New York City FC (next Saturday).”

Midfield faltered without Gomez, Redondo

Although they are just two young players, Diego Gomez and Fede Redondo have become critical to the midfield because they run a lot, cover a lot of ground, and are good complements to Busquets and Suarez, who are aging and lack speed.

Gomez and Redondo were both with their national teams, further indications that they are among the most promising players in their countries. Their absences were felt.

Miami’s Defense Remains Spotty

All three of Morgan’s goals followed lapses in Miami’s defense. It was especially glaring on his second goal. Tomas Aviles made a bad pass from the back in a dangerous space, it was intercepted by Venzeir, who then quickly got the ball to Morgan, who made a clinical finish. Center back Sergiy Kryvtsov was slow to the ball in another.

“We made a lot of defensive errors, made it very easy for them to get chances and goals and that is what affected the game the most,” Busquets said. “In the first half when we were down 1-0, they were the superior team. In the second half, they scored several goals and it became unsalvageable.”

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