MIAMI — Javier Mascherano had plenty to talk about with reporters on Friday morning and did not shy away from tough questions. In fact, when a team official tried to end the interview because it was running over the allotted time, Mascherano waved him off and kept going.

The Inter Miami coach announced that Lionel Messi, who has been slowed by a thigh injury, was ruled out for the road game Saturday against D.C. United. He said Messi will not travel, needs the rest, and they hope he will be available for the Leagues Cup semifinal Aug. 27 against Orlando City.

Mascherano spent much of the rest of the interview breaking down what happened when he was ejected at halftime of Wednesday’s 2-1 Leagues Cup quarterfinal victory over Mexican club Tigres.

“We had a discussion after the first half, where the referee had added four minutes of time and we played six, I argued with the fourth official, I didn’t insult him, but I did argue vehemently,” Mascherano said.

“I went into the locker room. I was told to be careful, that there was a rumor that I was going to be given a yellow card or disciplined in some way. When I went out for the second half, I sat on the bench, and the referee came over and pulled out the red card.”

Mascherano then addressed the issue that went viral on social media and has been the source of much discussion and dispute: He moved to the front row of the stands, within earshot of the bench, and was seen gesturing toward assistant coaches and speaking in a spirited manner on his cell phone.

Neither was in violation of Leagues Cup rules. Mascherano said the club asked tournament officials if he could sit there, and they gave him permission.

But the image led to criticism and jokes on social media. Unlike most stadiums, which have suites higher up in the stadium, the Chase Stadium suites are at field level, and the first few rows of the stands are very close to the field.

“Where I sat is allowed, it was in the stands,” he said. “It happens that the Inter Miami stadium the stands are very close to the field, and I wanted to be as close as possible. I didn’t break any rules.”

Asked if he thinks it is good for the spirit of the sport that a coach who has been expelled can continue to influence the game, he replied: “It has happened thousands of times and will continue to happen. I was not allowed be on the bench, I wasn’t on the bench. I could have sat in the owners’ suite, which is right next to the bench, and I didn’t do that.

“I am not to blame for how the stadium is configured. I went to the stands, and yes, I sat as close as possible because the team and my players needed me, and I will always be there for them, and I will pay whatever consequences there may be.”

He added that at no time did any Leagues Cup official ask him to move and that the media is “making a scandal” out of something that is not significant and that the reason Miami won was because of the players, not because of where he was sitting.

He said he did not have direct contact with players, that his assistant coaches were the ones giving instructions to players as they entered the game.

He was then asked if he thinks expelled coaches should be allowed to use electronics to communicate with the bench. Mascherano said he was speaking to the team’s video staff during the game.

“You think in this day and age, with the technology that’s available, that coaches don’t have access to communicate with their staff?” Mascherano said. “This has been going on for many years. Coaches have walkie talkies and phones. As for me yelling from the stands, I could have been sending smoke signals from the stands, just like any other fan. Yes, I chose to sit as close as possible, but I did not break any rules.”

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United preview

Heading into Saturday’s road game against last-place D.C. United, Inter Miami sits in fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference, and holds three games in hand over its competition with 10 games remaining in the regular season.

Miami is on a run of five wins in its past six games and is seven points shy of leader FC Cincinnati (52 points). Miami has 45 points. Philadelphia is in second place at 51 points, Nashville is third with 47 and Orlando City is fourth, also with 47.

If Miami were to win all three games in hand, it would overtake Cincinnati and be in position to repeat as Supporters’ Shield winners. D.C., meanwhile, has been struggling all season, is on an eight-game winless streak and is at the bottom of the standings with 20 points. D.C. has conceded 52 goals over 27 games. Only the Los Angeles Galaxy has given up more goals.

Tadeo Allende said the team is not overlooking D.C., despite having the Leagues Cup semifinal on the horizon next week.

“We cannot underestimate anyone, no matter where they are in the standings,” Allende said. “We have to work hard and put or focus on this game because if we don’t, it won’t go well for us.”

Left back Jordi Alba got a knock on his knee during the Tigres game, it remained inflamed as of Thursday, and he is unlikely to travel to the D.C. game, Mascherano said.

Mascherano praised his team for its fighting spirit and expects the same on Saturday.

“Our team reached the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, performed at a very high level at the Club World Cup, and in the MLS season with a few exceptions, we have competed and are in good position, and, we’re in the semifinals of the Leagues Cup,” Mascherano said. “One thing we cannot criticize this team for is the manner in which it has competed. We have played 40 games, more than any other team, and we are still in reach of our goals.”

Inter Miami signs Mateo Silvetti

Inter Miami on Friday announced the signing of Argentine 19-year-old forward Mateo Silvetti from Newell’s Old Boys.

Silvetti signed through the 2029 season with an option to extend an additional year. He came up through Newell’s youth academy and has made 37 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and providing two assists.

He also represented the Argentina U-20 national team and Mascherano coached him in his three appearances. He joins the club as part of MLS U-22 initiative pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.

“He’s a young player I know, I had him on my squad with the U20s, he’s very intelligent with promising capabilities,” Mascherano said. “I think he will strengthen that position. He can play outside, inside, center forward. He adapts to different situations. He is similar to Tadeo Allende, but maybe with more 1-v-1 tendencies. Most of all, he has a very good head for the game and that is important.”

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