Inter Miami CF kicked off their MLS season with an exhilarating 2-2 draw against New York City FC at Chase Stadium on February 24, 2025. The match highlighted the magic of Lionel Messi, who assisted both of Miami's goals, showcasing his pivotal role for the team.
The evening started optimistically for the Herons when defender Tomás Avilés opened the scoring just five minutes in, tapping home from Messi's clever assist. The early lead, though, came with challenges. Just minutes later, forward Fafà Picault had to leave the field with what appeared to be a muscle injury, forcing coach Javier Mascherano to rethink his game plan.
The situation took a turn for the worse when Avilés received a straight red card midway through the first half after fouling NYCFC's Alonso Martínez just outside the box. Miami, now down to ten men, struggled to maintain their earlier momentum.
New York seized the opportunity to capitalize on their man advantage. Mitja Ilenic scored the equalizer before halftime, benefiting from poor Miami defensive organization after Maxi Moralez's free-kick. The tide turned as NYCFC took the lead with Martinez scoring again after exploiting another defensive error.
Despite being under immense pressure, Inter Miami demonstrated grit and determination. Leading the charge was none other than Messi, who provided the miraculous equalizer deep in stoppage time. With altitude seemingly no issue, he threaded the perfect pass to Telasco Segovia, allowing Segovia to neatly chip the goalkeeper for the dramatic equalizer.
“You could see with what he did at the end,” praised Mascherano, referring to Messi’s ability to lead and create opportunities even when all seemed lost, and emphasized, “He’s the soul of this team.” Mascherano's gratitude for Messi’s presence was palpable as he explained how the Argentine maestro not only provides assists but also diligently supports the team defensively.
Mascherano expressed pride in his team's resilience, saying, “The team has soul, the team has life and we are going to fight.” He reflected on the tough circumstances, outlining how they played only 72 hours after competing at frigid temperatures of minus 24 degrees. The coach noted their inability to postpone the match against NYCFC, saying, “This is what happens sometimes when games move. The players are not robots. They are people, they are human beings.”
Heading back to the locker room after the match, the squad remains hopeful. With the ambition of improving on last year's performance, where they shattered the regular-season points record but faltered early in the playoffs, the players are eager to build on this draw. They plan to face Sporting Kansas City on February 25 for the second leg of the first-round Concacaf Champions Cup clash; the previous match ended similarly with Messi securing victory for Inter Miami.
The game served as both a challenging start and encouraging reminder of the team's potential. Inter Miami must find their footing quickly as they navigate the early season, drawing strength from Messi's repertoire and Mascherano’s vision as new head coach. With the weight of expectations heavier than ever, all eyes will remain on how Miami adjusts and responds, especially after such dramatic starts.