Inter Miami edge the win in a pulsating encounter at Yankee Stadium

New York City 0 – 0 Inter Miami

BRONX, NY–Lionel Messi was the difference as he led his side to an important win in an entertaining match against New York City at the Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Missing Rodrigo DePaul, Maxi Falcone and Sergio Reguilon going into the match, Miami had a changed lineup, both on and off the pitch.

Coach Javier Mascherano was serving a one match ban after his red card last week. But he was still the man making decisions in the lead up to the game, and one of those was to drop German Berterame after his slow start to his MLS career.

Tadeo Allende was given the nod for the striker’s role, and his side came out of the blocks at pace with obvious attacking intentions and were rewarded early on.

A Messi corner was only half cleared by City. Telasco Segovia hit a shot that was charged down and Lujan picked up the loose ball to fire it past Matt Freese to silence the home fans.

It was almost two just minutes later when Miami pressed high and forced the mistake. New York lost possession and Messi’s curling shot brought out the best in keeper Freese who did well to keep the Inter captain out.

Miami conceded a cheap free kick in a dangerous area and Nicolas Fernandez stepped up to punish them. His shot left Dayne St. Clare rooted to his spot as it bounced in off the cross bar to restore parity and slow Miami down, who had threatened to overwhelm them in the early stages.

But the away side continued to press high, and another swift counterattack saw Messi hit the post from distance as the New York defence started to creek under the pressure, but they held firm.

Maxi Morales was always a threat, and he was finding space on occasions and running at goal, keeping the Miami back line on their toes.

It was an exciting game with both sides confident they could score and win the game, playing with intent and searching for another goal.

And again it was Messi that came the closest. His thunderous strike hit the woodwork for the second time in the match and ricocheted off the cross bar and eventually to safety.

It was an even game and very much in the balance as the second half kicked off, and Miami picked up where they left off, controlling the tempo and dictating play.

But they came unstuck when Morales played a fabulous pass to split the defence and find Agustin Ojeda who ran onto it and scored past St. Clair to take the lead.

The home fans were still celebrating the goal when suddenly it was level again. A Messi freekick took a wicked deflection and wrong footed Freese bouncing into the net as the keeper watched on.

At that point the game understandably slowed down as both sides took their foot off the gas while they still probed for another goal. And it was the Herons who found it when Micael had drifted forward, and his header met a sweeping cross from Noah Allen and looped over Freese.

Beterame came on a second half substitute, and he found the net with a sweeping move, but it was disallowed for offside. Both sides continued to threaten the opposing goal, and St. Clair had to be at his best to keep them out late in the game.

But they managed to see the game out and secure all three points on a difficult day for the Herons which will please Mascherano who will no doubt have been delighted with the result after the disappointment of their midweek cup exit.

Next up for Miami it’s a home game against Austin after the international break.

Follow us on bluesky

Follow us on Twitter