By Braden Chalker
Matias Rojas stole the show with a goal and an assist while Luis Suarez added his 11th goal of the season as Inter Miami came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 over CF Montreal.
The south Florida side were looking to make it five wins on the bounce against an Eastern Conference foe, while Montreal were aiming to capture their first victory overall since April 13 and avoid sliding further down the table.
It was a fantastic start for the hosts after they weathered the opening storm from Miami. Even though Miami were knocking on the door as Laurent Courtois' side kept trying to play out from the back, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint found himself with acres of space to run into after a turnover from Miami.
Vilsaint then played Bryce Duke through on goal, and Montreal's No. 10 put the Canadian side 1-0 in the 22nd minute with a calm effort that nutmegged Drake Callender en route to finding the back of the net.
The dream start continued for the hosts after Vilsaint got in on the action once again. The Miami defense was once again stretched apart as Ariel Lassiter found Vilsaint unmarked just outside the Herons' penalty area. The 21-year-old looked up and sent in a curling effort that Callender couldn't keep out to double Montreal's advantage in the 32nd minute.
Miami managed to pull one back just before halftime in extraordinary fashion. The Herons were awarded a free kick roughly 30 yards out from the Montreal goal; however, Lionel Messi wasn't on the pitch as he was receiving treatment for a slight knock suffered in an earlier challenge. Up stepped Matias Rojas, who curled home a ridiculous left-footed effort to pull one back for the visitors that stunned everyone inside Stade Saputo.
Montreal's two-goal lead vanished into thin air after the Herons capitalized on yet another set piece. Julian Gressel sent in an in-swinging corner that Luis Suarez tapped in at the back post to bring the score level at two apiece.
As if the incredible free kick goal wasn't enough, Rojas decided to get in on the action once more by playing Benjamin Cremaschi though on goal with a perfectly-placed pass over the top of the Montreal defense. Cremaschi -- who was making his first start of the 2024 MLS campaign -- somehow managed to get the slightest of touches on the ball to guide it into the back of the net and put Miami in front for the first time on the night in the 59th minute.
Miami would hold on for all three points and remain in first place in the Supporters' Shield standings with 27 points collected from 13 matches played, while Montreal slump to 12th place in the Eastern Conference table with 12 points from 11 matches played.
Inter Miami player ratings ( 4-3-3 )
GK: Drake Callender - 5/10 - All over the place from the start with shaky distribution. Didn't come close to keeping out any of Montreal's two goals.
RB: Marcelo Weigandt - 7/10 - Stepped up defensively with a huge clearance near his own net along with several other well-timed challenges.
CB: Serhiy Kryvtsov - 5/10 - The veteran defender was clearly shaking the rust off in his first appearance since March 23 due to injury. He was pulled way out of position on Montreal's first goal of the night, high up the pitch and far away from his own goal.
CB: Nicolas Freire - 6/10 - Made a few key interceptions early on and displayed good awareness. A much better showing from Freire when compared to some of his previous outings.
LB: Franco Negri - 6/10 - Started off rather slow but picked up speed as the game wore on.
CM: Julian Gressel - 7/10 - He won't be credited with the assist on Suarez's close-range strike but he still sent in the cross to cause chaos at the back post.
CM: Sergio Busquets - 7/10 - Another solid performance from the veteran as he recycled possession and sprayed passes out wide to his teammates.
CM: Benjamin Cremaschi 6/10 - It took the youngster a minute to get to grips in his first start of season but he managed to cap it off with the match-winning goal.
RW: Lionel Messi - 7/10 - It wasn't the most impactful or complete performance that we've become accustomed to seeing from Messi in a Miami shirt. However, he still dazzled with individual brilliance here and there.
ST: Luis Suarez - 7/10 - His persistent pressing when Montreal tried to play out from the back was awarded in the shape of his 11th goal of the campaign.
LW: Matias Rojas - 8/10 - Continues to ooze quality in his third appearance overall and first start as a Heron. His long-range free kick will definitely be up there for Goal of the Season when all is said and done.
Substitutes
SUB: David Ruiz (72' for Cremaschi) - 6/10
SUB: Robert Taylor (72' for Rojas) - 6/10
SUB: Yannick Bright (79' for Gressel) - N/A
SUB: Ryan Sailor (79' for Kryvtsov) - N/A
SUB: Leo Campana (90' for Suarez) - N/A
Manager
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino - 7/10 - It wasn't exactly like he drew it up, but it's another three points for the Herons away from home in their quest for the Supporters' Shield title.
Player of the match - Matias Rojas (Inter Miami)
This article was originally published on 90min.com as CF Montreal 2-3 Inter Miami: Player ratings as Herons complete comeback to win fifth-straight match.
