Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano emphasized that the team needs to “swallow the poison” after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Nashville SC in the second game of their first-round MLS Playoff series at GEODIS Park. He encouraged his players to channel their frustrations for the final match of the best-of-three series.
“We need to digest the frustrations from today and hold onto them. Let them build up throughout the week so we can unleash that energy on Saturday in front of our fans. That’s the message,” Mascherano explained. “Today is a day for unity, to come together as a team. I believe we can turn this around.”
“We must cling to the emotions we felt when the match ended and keep that intensity until Saturday. We’ll unleash it only when it matters. On the field, our confidence shines through; we create opportunities and dominate our opponents. After that, the accountability for the outcome rests with me.”
The Herons secured a 3-1 win in the opening game of the first round at Chase Stadium, but Nashville claimed victory in the second match thanks to goals from Josh Bauer and Sam Surridge.
Though Lionel Messi scored a late goal, it was not enough to secure a win for Miami, resulting in the series being tied 1-1 and necessitating a third match.
“It’s like having the memory of a fish. We need to forget what happened today, work on improving ourselves, and focus on the positives. There’s no better scenario than facing high-pressure situations on Saturday,” Mascherano said.
“For me, that’s what it’s all about. If we didn’t want that pressure, we’d be at home relaxing and watching the world go by.”
Inter Miami will host Nashville for the decisive match, with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinal.
Last year, Miami experienced a shocking early exit in the playoffs after winning their first match against Atlanta United but losing the subsequent two games. This time, they aim to break that pattern against Nashville.