Chase Stadium—Lionel Messi led a 10-man Inter Miami squad to a 2-2 draw Saturday night with two assists, salvaging an important point at home. Tomas Aviles put Miami ahead five minutes into the match only to receive a red card just 18 minutes later. NYCFC evened the game at 1-1 via Mitja Ilenic in the 23rd minute and took the lead in the second half when Alonso Martinez capitalized on a Jordi Alba blunder. A magical assist by Lionel Messi to Telasco Segovia ten minutes into stoppage time miraculously allowed Miami to earn a point at home.
Starting XI
Javier Mascherano shook up the Inter Miami lineup from the previous match versus Sporting Kansas City for the Champions Cup. Mascherano’s inaugural MLS Starting XI saw Noah Allen, Fafa Picault, Benjamin Cremaschi and David Ruiz get the nod.
Mascherano goes with the heavy rotation 🆚 NYCFC…Lujan, Allende, Segovia on the bench… Allen, Fafa,Ruiz, Cremaschi get the nod…
Callender not rostered due to injury, Gressel not rostered, coach’s decision #MLS #InterMiamiCF #Messi pic.twitter.com/LY2N89D5k9
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2025
Match Action
The Herons came out soaring and five minutes in Tomas Aviles put a Lionel Messi pass to rest in the NYCFC net. Messi and Jordi Alba served a pair of sensational passes off a corner kick set play that ended with Aviles capitalizing for the 1-0 advantage.
Toto Avilés scores after some wonderful combinations off a corner kick…#Messi & Alba make spectacular passes that lead to Toto’s finish… 1-0, 5- minutes in…#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2025
Miami’s strong start was mitigated in the 23rd minute when Aviles went from hero to villain when he was shown a red card for the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity infraction after a foul on Alonso Martinez. The ensuing free-kick by NYCFC was masterfully executed and caught the Herons asleep, leading to the 1-1 tie.
The Herons are caught off guard by NYCFC & pay the price… 1-1
pic.twitter.com/pGiXJTzqrq— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2025
Early in the second half, Jordi Alba gifted the Pigeons the go-ahead score by blindly serving Alonso Martinez a perfect pass between Miami defenders. Martinez finished with a blast to the Heron corner net providing NY with the 2-1 lead.
Jordi Alba with an unbelievably boneheaded play gives the ball ⚽️ directly to Alonso Martínez who buries it past Ustari for the 2-1 NYCFC lead…#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2025
Alba was visibly shaken by his mistake, but being the legend that he is, he bounced back to finish the night with a strong performance. The rest of the match was an uphill battle where Miami had several chances to tie the match.
Just when it seemed Inter Miami would lose their season-opener at home, Messi provided a magic moment. Ian Fray charged forward dribbling past NY players and laid off a pass to Telasco Segovia a fraction of a second before getting clobbered by an FC player. Segovia controlled, laid the ball off to Messi, and made a vertical run towards the NYCFC goal. Messi charged forward and served an exceptional assist to Segovia, who finished with an exquisite chip over Matt Freese. The miracle comeback was complete and Miami saved a point at home.
There was a #Messi miracle!!! Lionel gives the supernatural assist for Telasco Segovia who finishes with an exquisite chip over the keeper 2-2…Segovia!! A star is born…#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2025
Postgame
I asked Noah Allen about Jordi Alba’s errant pass that led to New York’s second score, Allen deflected blame from Alba and put some on himself, as a good teammate would do, ” I think it was a collective mistake, maybe I shouldn’t have played him a ball like that in a difficult position where he’s getting pressed.” Allen was one of the better players on the pitch Saturday night, and his pass to Alba was fine, Alba simply made a silly mistake that he rarely has made in his legendary career. Noah has shown great improvement on the pitch and is also showing signs of growing as perhaps a future leader.
I asked Noah Allen about Jordi Alba’s errant pass that led to NYCFC’s 2nd goal, Noah deflected blame from Alba & placed some on himself…
Allen has the legend’s back…#MLS #InterMiamiCF #Lemoncitylive pic.twitter.com/IB3BCUNCsW
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2025
At his press conference, Javier Mascherano articulated the importance of Messi’s presence for Inter Miami. Masch mentioned how Lionel still plays the game with the spirit of a child, how much he despises losing,
He’s the soul of this team, You saw this on the pitch, he is as a kid playing, and he doesn’t want to lose. So for us, he’s a big, big advantage. So, we need to keep him with this spirit, you know, because it’s not just what he does on the pitch, it’s what he translates to his teammates and all that he does.
Mascherano talks about #Messi & his importance to #InterMiamiCF, Mascherano calls Lionel the “soul” of the team & says he plays the game with the spirit of a child…#MLS pic.twitter.com/YlnYBoSfEt
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) February 23, 2025
Final Thoughts
Inter Miami’s home opener was another drama-filled affair, with injuries, a red card, and a Messi miracle pass. It seems the Herons will always find a way to complicate themselves and will their way to a result. Messi continues to make the extraordinary look ordinary, but Saturday night was about two youngsters showing they are ready to shine.
Noah Allen played a wonderful game at left center-back constantly cutting plays off before they became dangerous. The young defender shows confidence and maturity as a player and looks to have a big season for Miami.
Telasco Segovia announced to the fans Saturday night that a star was born. He came in as a substitute and completely turned the game around in the midfield when he became Messi’s go-to ally. Segovia finished a Messi pass with a classy chip late in stoppage time to save a point for Miami. Telasco looks prime to fight for Young Player of the Year this season. Yes, I write that after just one game, that’s how bright his star shines.
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