BALTIMORE (AP) — Lionel Messi scored in the 27th minute and Inter Miami beat D.C. United 2-1 on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 72,026 at the home of the Baltimore Ravens.
Because of the apparent interest in Messi, the match was held in downtown Baltimore rather than at D.C. United’s smaller venue in Washington. Messi showed what he showed many fans when he led Inter Miami (2-1-0) 2-0 in the first half.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Dane St. Clair said: “It’s really nice to be able to go to an away stadium and know that there are probably more supporters than the actual home team.” “Obviously that doesn’t happen in every stadium, and I think that was definitely the case tonight.”
Rodrigo de Paul also scored for Inter Miami. Ty Balibo brought United within one point, 1-2-0, in the 75th minute, but DC was unable to score again against St. Clair, who was playing college soccer at nearby University of Maryland.
“I know some of my college coaches were here, some of my college teammates were here,” St. Clair said. “It’s definitely a full-circle moment from playing at the University of Maryland to obviously being able to go to a big stadium like here.”
It’s been an eventful week for Messi and his team. visited the white house They will enter Thursday as the defending MLS Cup champions.
“I think last year was a little different for me because I wasn’t on the team,” said St. Clair, who played for Minnesota United before joining Inter Miami. “At the same time, not many people get to experience that.”
Inter Miami took the lead in the 17th minute when De Paul collected the ball about 15 yards from the goal and fired a shot into the far side of the goal.
Messi then slipped behind the DC defense to receive a pass from Matteo Silvetti and flicked the ball past goalkeeper Sean Johnson with one touch to score his third goal of the young MLS season.
Inter Miami has won two consecutive games since losing 3-0 to Los Angeles FC in the league opener.
In the second half, DC United broke through. Jackson Hopkins’ shot forced a one-handed save from St. Clair, and the rebound was stopped by Baribeau.
to the next
Inter Miami: CONCACAF Champions Cup action takes place in Nashville on Wednesday night.
DC United: Saturday night at Chicago.
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