Tata Martino has expressed his frustration over Jordi Alba’s yellow card for Inter Miami last night against Charlotte FC.
The Spanish defender picked up a booking in stoppage time in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win in North Carolina, meaning Alba will be out for Saturday’s massive MLS Supporters’ Shield tie against FC Cincinnati through suspension.
With Diego Gomez in a similar boat having also picked up a yellow card against Charlotte, Inter Miami will be without two of their most important players for a game that could define their chances of winning the Supporters’ Shield this season.
And Martino has voiced his frustration over the referee’s decision to give Alba a yellow card.
Martino puzzled over how Alba picked up a yellow card
Speaking to the press after Inter Miami’s win, Martino shared how annoyed he was with the decision to book Alba so late in the game, with the Herons now without one of their star players for Saturday’s huge MLS tie.
Whilst Martino admitted that Gomez’s yellow card was deserved, the Inter Miami boss was more than frustrated that Alba was also put in the book given how late in the game the incident took place.
Indeed, the veteran defender has been exceptional in recent matches as Inter Miami have excelled despite missing Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and Alba being absent on Saturday is a hammer blow for the Herons.
Martino said on Alba’s yellow card: “It’s always risk playing these players on yellow cards. Diego’s one I think was the correct decision, Jordi’s yellow, though, was totally unjustified because he didn’t do anything, now we will be without these two players against Cincinnati.”
Alba’s yellow card vs Charlotte could have big ramifications for Inter Miami
Saturday’s away trip to Ohio could be viewed as the biggest MLS game of the season with Inter Miami and Cincinnati only separated by two points in the overall league standings.
And Alba’s suspension after picking up a yellow against Charlotte could now have big ramifications for Inter Miami in their quest to win the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in franchise history.
The fullback has been instrumental for Inter Miami both defensively and going forward, and Alba missing Saturday’s tie will be a huge blow for the Herons heading into Saturday.