Inter Miami CF kicked off the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season with high hopes but stumbled out of the blocks, managing only a 2-2 draw against New York City FC. The game, held on February 22, 2025, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, was marked by dramatic moments and showcased the talents of soccer superstar Lionel Messi, who played a pivotal role in the outcome.
From the outset, Miami looked to assert their dominance, and they struck early. Just five minutes in, Messi, serving as the cornerstone of Miami's attack, played a corner deep to Jordi Alba. Alba swiftly returned the favor with a pinpoint diagonal pass, setting up Argentine defender Tomas Aviles, who slotted the ball home to give Miami the advantage. It was the perfect start for the home team, who had dominated the previous season, finishing with the highest points record but faltering early in the playoffs.
Unfortunately for Miami, the tide turned abruptly shortly after their opening goal. Fafa Picault, one of their new signings, suffered a muscle injury just ten minutes in, forcing him off the pitch. The situation worsened when Aviles received a straight red card for bringing down Alonso Martinez at the edge of the box. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum squarely to New York City, as they capitalized on Miami's disarray.
Maxi Moralez took the ensuing free-kick for New York, slipping the ball to Mitja Ilenic, who scored the equalizer, exploiting Miami's exposed backline. The absence of Aviles was deeply felt as Miami's defense looked shaky, relying on inexperienced pairings to hold the fort. They had to regroup quickly as they found themselves under mounting pressure.
NYCFC took the lead shortly after half-time, courtesy of another blunder. This time, Alba, who had initially set up Miami's first goal, inadvertently gifted possession to Martinez, who charged forward and slotted home the second goal for New York City.
Despite being two goals down and facing the challenge of playing with ten men, Miami was not finished. Messi, often double-marked and struggling to find support from the rest of his teammates, unitimized Luis Suarez, who was substituted after scant contributions. The game was reaching its climax when drama unfolded once again.
Just as the clock ticked down, Miami found the break they desperately needed. Messi, displaying his world-class vision and precision, made another memorable play, slipping through the defense with a perfectly weighted pass to Telasco Segovia. With little time remaining, Segovia deftly lifted the ball over New York goalkeeper Matt Freese, securing the equalizer and sending the home crowd erupting with joy.
Coach Javier Mascherano, at the helm for his first MLS match after replacing Gerardo Martino, faced the challenge of transforming this mix of seasoned players and newcomers following last season's disappointing playoff exit. While Miami displayed flashes of brilliance, including standout plays from Messi, the team's inconsistency and defensive shortcomings raised concerns about their title aspirations this year.
The match concluded with Miami and NYCFC split points at 2-2, leaving both teams to reflect on what transpired. NYCFC returns home knowing they capitalized on Miami's mistakes, whereas Mascherano and his troops have much to ponder as they look to regroup and improve with the promising start of the season still fresh.
Looking forward, fans will enjoy plenty more from both teams, who must work out finely-tuning their tactics and strategies to meet the rigorous demands of the MLS season. For Messi and Miami, the focus will be to establish form, find continuity within playmakers, and rediscover their explosive style which propelled them to success last year. After all, their aim remains to reclaim the glory of last season and push back against the formidable challenges set by their rivals.