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MLS Inter Miami CF

Breaking Lines: Balanced Attack Leads Win over Chicago

August 19, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


Inter Miami earned another victory at home on Wednesday night, extending its winning streak at DRV PNK Stadium to three thanks to a stoppage time winner by Rodolfo Pizarro. The Mexican midfielder was just one of many standouts in the team's thrilling path to three points, as a number of other players proved pivotal to the result.

A Balanced Attack

Heading into Wednesday's match, eight of Inter Miami's 15 goals had come from Gonzalo Higuaín. An increased emphasis on a diversified attack paid dividends against Chicago, with the goals coming from the other two starters in attack, Indiana Vassilev and Robbie Robinson, and Rodolfo Pizarro off the bench.

Vassilev and Robinson accounted for 0.51 xG (expected goals) and 0.63 xG, respectively, the two highest totals in the match. Pizarro, meanwhile, led the match with three successful dribbles despite coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute.

Robinson also proved an effective outlet down the left wing for most of the night, before moving centrally as part of a strike partnership. The young forward constantly found space out of possession, receiving 10 progressive passes from teammates, the second most in the match behind Gonzalo Higuaín.

Higuaín Plays Provider

The team's leading scorer had a hand in all three goals without scoring one himself.

On the first goal of the night, Higuaín received a brilliant pass from Lewis Morgan in the opposition half, swiftly turned and played a pass to Robinson on the edge of the box, whose shot was saved before the rebound was tucked away by Vassilev.

On the team's second goal, Higuaín made a run in behind the Chicago's defense, latching onto a longball from Leandro González Pirez on the right side of the box, and cut a precise pass back to Robinson in front of goal, who powered his finish past the keeper.

On the team's third goal, Higuaín started the move on the left wing with the ball at his feet, probing the defense before bursting past two defenders and threading a pass between several others to find Victor Ulloa at the top of the box, who turned and provided the assist on Pizarro's finish.

The striker bagged two assists, finished the match with the highest xA (expected assists) total of any Inter Miami player, tallied the second-most key passes for Inter Miami behind Lewis Morgan, and received a game-high 14 progressive passes.

Lewis Morgan Thrives at Right Wing Back

Lewis Morgan adjusted to a full match in a position he has played on occasion throughout 2021, dropping deeper as a right wing back. The Scottish winger excelled in the role, having a hand in many of the team's threatening moments, including a difficult, splitting pass leading to the opener.

Morgan led the match with four key passes, as well as eight crosses. He was also efficient with his distribution, completing 80% of his 20 passes, with 16 of those coming in the opposition half.

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