After an embarrassing first-round elimination in the MLS Cup Playoffs last season, Inter Miami find themselves in the exact same tricky situation. A year after their shock elimination to Atlanta United in the opening round, the Herons will go to a decisive Game 3 for a second straight year in their opening series, this time facing Nashville SC. Inter Miami fell 2-1 in Game 2 on Saturday night in Tennessee.

A 3-1 win in Game 1 saw all the momentum shift to Lionel Messi and company after the Argentine scored two goals. But with the rain coming down in Nashville, a slow start doomed Javier Mascherano's side, who gave the hosts a penalty kick within the first 10 minutes and conceded again right before halftime.

Messi, who just signed a contract extension with the club , did scored a la

See Full Page