The 10-man Herons snuck out a point thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer after two individual errors haunted their performance during regulation
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Inter Miami draw NYCFC 2-2Tomas Aviles sees red after scoring opening goalLionel Messi records two assistsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportTELL ME MORE
Inter Miami narrowly escaped defeat to New York City FC, as Lionel Messi powered them to a 2-2 draw with two assists.
The South Beach club earned a crucial point to kick off the defense of their Supporters' Shield, but it almost wasn't meant to be.
The began things on a high note, taking a remarkably early lead just five minutes into the match. Messi recorded his first goal-contribution of the season, sending a delicious ball across the six-yard box to find a sliding Tomas Aviles, who found the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
Two minutes later, though, things began to go downhill for the hosts.
Winger Fafa Picault pulled up with a non-contact injury, going to the ground holding the back of his leg, forcing Javier Mascherano into his first change just seven minutes into the match.
Then, in the 23rd minute, things went from bad to worse as Aviles saw red for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity offense. The young Argentine committed a reckless sliding tackle on the edge of his own box, taking out the legs of striker Alonso Martinez. Reduced to 10 men, Mascherano's men conceded an equalizer off the ensuing free kick, as the executed a brilliantly designed set-piece with Mitja Ilenic leveling.
Ten minutes into the second half, NYCFC took the lead in the contest, with Martinez capitalizing off a catastrophic error from Jordi Alba. The Spaniard lost the ball right outside his own box, and the Costa Rica international pounced, smashing home to give his club a 2-1 lead.
The had a handful of chances throughout the latter stages of the match to draw level, but a goal never arrived through regulation. However, 11 minutes of stoppage time were added, which proved to be their saving grace.
In the 100th minute of the match, defender Ian Fray drove forward in heroic fashion, finding Messi in NYCFC's end of the pitch, and from there, the Argentine did what he does best. He found the run of substitute Telascvo Segovia, whose looping shot dipped over a forthcoming Matt Freese, but the NYCFC goalkeeper could do nothing about it.
With the late equalizer, Miami earned a point, snatching what was looking to be a brilliant road victory out from under the nose of the on opening day.
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Miami and NYCFC last met in Fall 2024, with the two sides ending in a stalemate as U.S. international James Sands equalized in the dying minutes of the match.
THE MVP
Lionel Messi:
Down to 10 men, they needed some late magic, and boy did he bring it. Their best attacker throughout the second half, Messi finally helped them draw level in the 10th minute of stoppage-time via his brilliant assist to Telasco Segovia.
The Argentine's brilliance helped them overcome two major individual errors, and that is exactly why he was named the club's captain prior to the start of the campaign.
Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER
Tomas Aviles:
From hero to villain, the young Argentine let his team down on Saturday.
All throughout 2024, he was a loose cannon. He would go from having rock-solid performances to outings plagued by immaturity and poor decision-making. Saturday's match saw a mix of both.
Ultimately, his sending-off cost Miami three points, and he will have to accept that.