Miami secure first win at the Nu Stadium

Inter Miami 2 – 0 Portland Timbers

MIAMI, FL–A Lionel Messi goal and an assist was enough to earn his side all three points and give the home fans the first win at their new home ground. The Herons almost got off to a flying start when Messi and Luis Suarez combined wonderfully on the edge of the Portland penalty area. Messi got on the end of a deft chip by Suarez, but he couldn’t beat James Pantemis.

Coming into this game, Portland had a poor record away from home, and they were under pressure immediately. Giving up possession cheaply, they were inviting Miami to come forward and Messi looked in the mood to take advantage.But Dayne St. Clair had to be alert after ten minutes when he parried a rasping strike from Cole Bassett as the visitors had the better of the early moments.

Suarez came close when he was on the end of a swift Miami counter attack, but Pantemis was quick to close him down. Ian Fray made a great run into the box, but his attempted chip wasn’t enough to beat the in-form keeper.

It was an intriguing match. Both sides were comfortable playing the ball around at the back as they tried to dominate possession. But half an hour in and there had been few real good chances for either team as they shared an equal amount of possession.

Then in a flash, it changed. A quick passing move between Messi and Segovia and the Herons captain was in front of goal and made no mistake to score his twelfth goal of the season. A favourable deflection helped wrong foot the Portland defence, but you make your own luck in this game, and that’s exactly wat Miami did.

And it wasn’t long before Messi was at again. He danced his way through four defenders and then clip the ball into German Berterame in front of goal to make it two nil. It was a delight to watch Messi’s mesmerizing run, and he makes it so hard to defend against as the slightest clumsy challenge could easily concede a penalty.

The second half was a bit of a slow affair as Portland looked to respond and fight their way back into the game.

Miami seemed happy to sit back and let the opposition have the ball, which is a dangerous option when you players like Kristoffer Velde who was a threat throughout the game.

A two-goal lead might seem comfortable, but you can’t just sit back and protect that lead without running the risk of conceding a goal and the having your backs against the wall.

With an hour played, the game was quite stretched and Miami struggled to connect their defence and midfield as Portland pressed. Messi was a constant menace to the defenders and a great outlet for Miami to release the pressure, but he wasn’t able to add to his tally.

It was a hot humid night in Miami, and it showed as the players looked leggy and tired as the game moved into the final stages. It meant the game rather petered out towards the end. But a late free kick for Messi was saved brilliantly by Pantemis, who had a great game.

It was a good result for Miami who will be glad to get that first win at Nu Stadium, and get that monkey off their back.

Photos by Edwin Gomez

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