Inter Miami CF kicked off their 2025 Major League Soccer season with a thrilling 2-2 draw against New York City FC at Chase Stadium on Saturday night. The match was met with high expectations, especially with soccer superstar Lionel Messi leading the charge for the home team. Messi proved pivotal, contributing two assists, but the night unfolded with dramatic twists and turns.
The game started brightly for Miami, as Tomas Aviles scored the opener just five minutes in, marking a strong debut for the young player. A perfectly placed cross from Messi found Aviles, who slipped the ball past NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese from six yards out. This goal propelled Messi to become the fastest player in MLS history to achieve 40 career goal contributions, amassing 21 goals and 19 assists all within just 26 matches.
Just when it seemed things were going Miami's way, the match took a sharp turn. A minute after Aviles’ goal, he was issued a red card for a reckless tackle on Alonso Martinez. The ejection left Miami playing with ten men for the remaining 67 minutes, allowing the visiting NYCFC to take full advantage of the situation.
New York City quickly responded to the red card by equalizing shortly after. Veteran midfielder Maxi Moralez cleverly set up Mitja Ilenic, who scored the equalizer with his left foot after taking advantage of the quiet Miami defense. The match went to halftime with both teams level, but it was evident NYCFC was hungry to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
After the break, NYCFC surged forward, feeding off the momentum from their equalizer. Just ten minutes after the restart, disaster struck for Miami when defender Jordi Alba made a disastrous back pass intended for his goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari. The clueless pass fell right to Alonso Martinez, who made no mistake, pushing the ball past Ustari to give NYCFC the lead at 2-1.
With their backs against the wall, Miami pressed to regain control. The hosts were fortunate to still be alive, with several close calls as both teams exchanged chances. Despite being down to ten men, Miami did not shy away from the fight, showcasing resilience and determination to push back against their opponents.
Messi remained the ever-present threat, coming close to scoring with several attempts. One of his notable moments was during the 72nd minute when Freese had to expertly save Messi’s fierce free kick aimed toward the right corner. Despite their pressing and Messi’s creative aim, Miami was kept at bay for most of the second half.
It wasn’t until stoppage time when the game reached its dramatic climax. With the clock almost running out, Messi orchestrated one final play. He lofted the ball toward the box, setting up substitute Telasco Segovia, who, with precise finesse, chipped the ball over Freese to clinch the equalizer for Miami at the 90+10 minute mark.
The tension was palpable as the late goal symbolized both the heroics of individual brilliance and the determination of Miami, salvaging at least one point from what could have easily turned to defeat. The 2-2 draw was exhilarating and fraught with emotion, leaving both teams with mixed feelings as they walked from the pitch.
Coaches Pascal Jansen of NYCFC and Javier Mascherano of Inter Miami faced off for the first time, both walking away with their first points of the new season, albeit with differing sentiments. Coach Jansen voiced frustration about letting the point slip away after commanding the match with one extra player, noting, "It was frustrating but we managed to get out with a point."
Conversely, Mascherano praised his players for their relentless effort, especially after finding themselves down to 10, remarking on the need for composure and resilience under pressure. This match hints at the competitive nature of the 2025 season and sets the stage for both sides as they look to refine their strategies and capitalize on the upcoming matches.
Looking forward, NYCFC will focus on finding their killer instinct to convert leads and secure victories, as they have struggled to do so historically in season openers. Meanwhile, Inter Miami will aim to build on this momentum as they navigate through the early challenges of the MLS season, hoping to capitalize on the great talent they possess and become more cohesive as the fixtures pile up.