The long and frustrating wait for Inter Miami came to an end on Saturday as Tata Martino’s squad lifted the first trophy in club history.
Inter Miami edged Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties as the Herons captured the 2023 Leagues Cup. The two Eastern Conference clubs played out a 1-1 result through 90 minutes before goalkeeper Drake Callender delivered the decisive spot kick.
Callender stepped up and scored past Elliot Panicco in the 11th round before denying the Nashville SC goalkeeper to win the match for Inter Miami. Randall Leal was denied by Callender in the second round before Panicco repelled Victor Ulloa’s effort in the fifth.
Lionel Messi boosted Inter Miami in front 1-0 after only 23 minutes at Geodis Park. The Argentine star rifled a left-footed shot into the top-left corner, netting his 10th goal in his seventh appearance for the Herons this summer.
Nashville SC would fight back though and tie things up in the 57th minute from a corner kick. Fafa Picault bundled home a rebound in the Inter Miami box to give the hosts a chance at capturing their first trophy since joining MLS.
Messi struck the right post in the 71st minute for Inter Miami before Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge were denied by Callender in second-half stoppage time. Leonardo Campana came closest to playing the hero in regulation, rattling the left post in the 93rd minute.
Callender played the hero for the Herons after scoring the go-ahead spot kick and denying Panicco in a matter of minutes.
Inter Miami next travels to East-leading FC Cincinnati on Wednesday in the semifinal round of the U.S. Open Cup. Nashville SC resumes its MLS schedule on August 26 against Atlanta United.