Lionel Messi was made to wait for his 900th career goal as Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw away to Nashville SC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup last-16 tie.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano credited Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair for making some crucial saves to keep the tie up for grabs heading into next week's second leg.

He felt the familiarity between the two teams after several recent meetings played a part in Wednesday's first leg lacking fireworks in heavy rain at GEODIS Park.

The sides have faced off 20 times since they debuted in MLS in 2020.

"Sometimes when a game ends 0-0 it is because both teams were thinking about how to disrupt the opponent's attack," he said. 

"In the end, we played five games in the last three months.

"Usually, you start to figure out, 'Where can I stop them?’ And they know how to stop us.

"We knew it would be a tough game because three months ago we came here to face them in a playoff game. They played us the same way.

"They are very strong at home, have had a good start to this season, are playing very well. 

"But we also were able to resist their pressure. It was a game of pressure versus pressure. It is an even matchup that will be decided in the second match."

Messi came into the game having scored 15 goals in 10 games against Nashville, the most against any MLS opponent since he arrived in the United States.

But he was largely kept quiet and made to wait for his milestone goal. He had Miami's only shot on target, but fired off just three attempts overall and created only one chance.

Nasvhille were the more likely team to score, outperforming Miami in terms of attempts (14 to eight), attempts on target (four to one) and expected goals (1.19 to 0.32).

St. Clair made crucial interventions to deny Warren Madrigal, Sam Surridge and Reed Baker-Whiting to keep Miami level.

The recent signing from Minnesota United, where he won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award, impressed Mascherano.

"It was important for us to stay alive in the series and also for him; I know what it means for a goalkeeper to record a shutout," the coach added. 

"He played well. We know what a great goalkeeper he is. When we signed him, we knew we were signing a national team player. 

"Clearly, we have a style of play where the keeper doesn't get the ball that much, but when they do, they have to respond and he is adapting to that too."

Miami have started their season with a series of away games due to construction work ahead of their stadium move, so the return leg at Chase Stadium next Wednesday will be their first home contest of the campaign.

"It will be a very, very great night for us, so I am asking the fans to come to the stadium because we need them to help us go through to the quarterfinal," Mascherano said.

There were wins for the other MLS sides in continental action, with LA Galaxy comprehensively seeing off Mount Pleasant 3-0 at home courtesy of a hat-trick from Gabriel Pec.

The tie between San Diego FC and Deportivo Toluca, meanwhile, is still all to play for, with Mikey Varas' team holding a narrow advantage after a thrilling and frenetic first leg.

San Diego finished the match with nine men and conceded two penalties, but still somehow escaped with a 3-2 victory, as David Vazquez scored a double.

That tie will conclude next Wednesday, while Galaxy will be away to Mount Pleasant a day later.