MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi scores in his long-awaited opening game. At our new home stadium. And Luis Suarez found a way to tie the game late in the second half.
It was enough for Inter Miami to take back one point.
Messi scores with a header Suarez volleyed home in the 10th minute and fired home in the 82nd minute, as Inter Miami escaped with a 2-2 draw with Austin FC in the defending MLS champions’ first game Saturday night at a still-under-construction stadium near Miami International Airport.
Inter Miami (3-1-2) is unbeaten in their last five MLS games, while Austin (1-2-3) is currently winless in four games.
MLS commissioner Don Garber attended the game and praised the efforts David Beckham has put in to get to this day after choosing Miami 13 years ago. Inter Miami, in its seventh MLS season and third with Messi, have previously played their home matches in Fort Lauderdale.
Gerber touted the stadium’s opening as the latest sign of MLS’s growth.
“I think our best days are yet to come,” Garber said. “David has shined a light on our league. Leo has taken that light and is showing it. And we’re getting calls from players all over the world.”
The Herons never led. Austin took a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute with a goal from Guilherme Bilo (the first in New Stadium history), and a goal from speedy reserve Jayden Nelson in the 53rd minute gave the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Messi and Suarez scored the equalizer, and Inter Miami missed several chances that could have won them in the final minutes. Probably the best chance. Matteo Silvetti’s chance in the 87th minute. He received a cross from the right side and tried to raise the ball at one time, but the ball flew high.
“We already know Leo’s ability and the trouble he causes for opponents, even when he doesn’t have the ball,” Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcon said on Apple TV after the game. “And so is Lewis. He’s deadly whenever he’s in the box. And he proved that again.”
Suarez thought he had scored after receiving Messi’s free kick in the 90th minute, but the play was ruled offside. Messi then had a chance from inside the box about three minutes later, but Brad Stuber made a low diving save to his left, keeping the game tied at 2-2.
Stuber said it was a great result against the MLS champions, who are opening a new stadium, especially considering the circumstances.
“We have to be the villains,” Stuber said.
Austin led for much of the second half after Nelson came on at the break and gave the club momentum.
Nelson, who played for Vancouver against Inter Miami in last season’s MLS Cup final, slipped behind the defense to avoid offside and received a pass from Milt Uzuni in the middle of the field about 30 yards from the goal.
He took a low shot, evaded the onrushing Inter Miami goalkeeper Dane St. Clair, kissed the inside of the left goal post and found the net.
to the next
Austin: Hosts LA Galaxy on April 11th.
Inter Miami: Played against New York Red Bulls on April 11th.
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