A late equaliser salvaged a point for Miami on a difficult night against Austin FC

Inter Miami 2 – 2 Austin FC

MIAMI, FL–Inter Miami were forced to work for a share of the spoils as they welcomed Austin FC to their Nu Stadium for the inaugural match in their new home.

It was a party atmosphere as the home fans enjoyed their new surroundings, but Austin were intent on spoiling the party and they unsettled the Herons from the kick off. A free kick on the edge of the area after two minutes beat the diving Dayne St.Clare and smacked off the upright, to give the home side an early scare, but they didn’t heed that warning.

Miami had started the match on the back foot and were punished after six minutes when Austins early intent turned into a goal. A Facundo Torres cross found the unmarked Guilherme Biro who scored with a thumping header. With Maxi Falcone back in the starting line-up after returning from injury, Miami were at full strength at the back, but some poor defending opened the door, and Biro made no mistake.

Miami responded well with some attacking intent, and it soon led to the equalizer when Lionel Messi latched onto an Ian Fray clipped cross to head it passed Brad Stuver.

Chances came for both sides and Torres hit the woodwork for the second time as both sides looked for their second goal. And it was Austin who found it when Messi was dispossessed in the middle of the park. A quick counterattack saw second half substitute Jayden Nelson in front of goal, and he fired it in off the post to give his side the lead for the second time in the match.

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Messi went close soon after with a wicked free kick that flew passed the post as Miami looked to fight back again.

Messi looked intent on getting his second goal but Stuver in the Austin goal was in great form and denied the Herons repeatedly. And as Miami were facing defeat in their first game at Nu stadium, it was veteran and habitual goal scorer Luis Suarez that pulled his team out of the mire with a typical poacher’s goal late in the game.

A corner was floated in and German Berterame climbed well to flick it on. And there was Suarez a yard from the goal line to volley it home and draw his side level again.

They continued to push for a winner with late chances for Mateo Silvetti and Messi, but they couldn’t convert the chances. Suarez had the ball in the net after Messi’s free kick hit the bar, but the striker was offside and the goal was ruled out. And again, Messi tested Stuver late on with a rasping drive but there was no fairytale ending and Miami had to settle for the draw.

It was a classic game of two halves with a lacklustre Miami undone in the first forty-five minutes, but a complete contrast in the second as they started to resemble their status as current champions.

Coach Javier Mascherano will be disappointed with the result but as he looks at the table he’ll see his side are well placed at this early stage of the season.