Inter Miami’s MLS season opener was anything but smooth, as Lionel Messi delivered two assists—including a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer—in a 2-2 draw against New York City FC on Saturday.
Playing nearly the entire match with 10 men after defender Tomás Avilés saw red in the 23rd minute, Miami struggled to find rhythm under new head coach Javier Mascherano. Despite early hopes, defensive errors and misfortune nearly cost them the game.
Miami started strong, with Messi setting up Avilés for a goal just five minutes in. But disaster struck soon after—new signing Fafa Picault limped off injured in the 10th minute, and Avilés was sent off 13 minutes later, shifting momentum in NYCFC’s favor. The visitors capitalized, with Mitja Ilenič firing home after a defensive lapse.
Miami’s woes deepened in the second half when Jordi Alba gifted a pass straight to NYCFC’s Alonso Martínez, who coolly slotted home for a 2-1 lead. With Luis Suárez struggling and eventually subbed off, Miami relied heavily on Messi to spark a comeback.
And the Argentine delivered. Deep into stoppage time, he produced a moment of brilliance, threading a perfect pass to Telasco Segovia, who calmly chipped NYCFC’s keeper Matt Freese to snatch a last-gasp draw.
“He’s the soul of this team,” Mascherano said of Messi. “It’s not just his talent—it’s the energy and leadership he brings.”
Elsewhere in MLS, Atlanta United’s Emmanuel Latte Lath scored twice in a thrilling 3-2 win over Montreal, while Cincinnati’s $16 million signing Kevin Denkey netted on debut in a 1-0 victory over the Red Bulls. The Columbus Crew, led by Diego Rossi’s brace, spoiled Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago Fire debut with a 4-2 win.
The season is just getting started, and if this opener was any indication, MLS fans are in for a wild ride.
