Miami struggle to 2-0 win over Jamaica's Cavalier

Fort Lauderdale, United States, 7 March  - Inter Miami rested Lionel Messi again and had to grind out a 2-0 win over Jamaica's Cavalier in 

the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 tie on Thursday.

Messi, who was also absent for Sunday's 4-1 win at the Houston in Major 
League Soccer, is not believed to be suffering from any injury and the club 
has described his non-selection as 'load management'.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano clearly believed his team was good enough to 
beat their Caribbean opponents without the Argentine World Cup winner but for 
the opening hour that looked far from certain.

The Kingston side impressed as they threatened on the counter-attack, showed 
energy in midfield and were solid at the back against a lacklustre Miami 
team.

Indeed, the visitors could have gone ahead in the 28th minute when Jamilio 
Rigters whipped a cross from the left towards the far post but the arriving 
Jalmaro Calvin couldn't get his shot on target.

Minutes later, the Jamaican side were denied by the woodwork when Calvin was 
found inside the box and the ball deflected off the lunging David Martinez 
and struck the post.

Just before half-time, the Jamaicans thought they had the lead when Miami 
failed to deal with a free-kick into the box and Richard King set up 
Shaquille Stein who slotted home.

The celebrations were cut short though by the referee indicating a VAR review 
which went on for several minutes before, to the fury of the away side, the 
effort was ruled out for offside.

There was a more determined approach from Miami after the break and they were 
rewarded in the 61st minute when after a goalmouth scramble the ball fell to 
Tadeo Allende who fired into the corner.

Cavalier paid the price for their high-energy approach in the first half, 
tiring as the game wore on and weary defending in the 83rd minute was 
punished by Luis Suarez who pounced after a mis-control by Shamar Watson and tucked home the second.

The return leg will be played in Kingston on March 13.BS