MIAMI, FL – Days removed from a stunning comeback performance to send it to a penalty shootout in Frisco, the Herons were back home in Miami tonight against Charlotte FC.

Miami has been known for its quick scoring offense all tournament and that skillset repeated itself tonight. Miami struck first in the 12th minute as Josef Martinez scored early on a penalty, giving Miami an early 1-0 lead. Miami would keep command on offense displaying a dominant 65% possession rate. Twenty minutes later in the 32nd minute, Miami found the net again from a familiar scorer this tournament in Robert Taylor. This is Taylor’s fourth goal in this competition. Miami their foot on the gas heading into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Some sparks flew in the second half as Charlotte Midfielder Ashley Westwood caught a yellow card in the 63rd minute, not long after Miami Defender Kamal Miller caught a yellow card in the 64th minute. Action would pick up again in the 78th minute as Charlotte Defender Adlison Malanda scored an own goal, giving Miami a 3-0 lead. However, something seemed off about tonight’s performance. Leo Messi didn’t score tonight and was at risk of losing his four game scoring streak, or so we thought. Well, in the 86th minute, Messi brought one home off an assist from Leonardo Campana, extending his scoring streak to five games and finishing off the game with a 4-0 victory.

Compared to Sunday night, Inter Miami definitely had an easier night on the field tonight as they dominated all sides statistically. The Herons will be back on the field for Leagues Cup action on August 15th facing off against the winner of tonight’s Philadelphia Union – Club Querétaro matchup.