MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are still waiting for their first win in their new home.
Germán Bertelame scored off a rebound in the 76th minute, and Inter Miami held its own on defense Saturday night, ending in a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution. MLS Cup Champion No win in three games at the new Miami Stadium.
The Herons are 0-0-3 in their new home, but are 5-1-1 in MLS road games this season. Inter Miami is undefeated in their last nine MLS games (5-0-4). Lost the opening game LAFC is undefeated in its past 11 games (5 wins, 0 losses, 6 losses).
Former MLS MVP Carles Gil scored in the 56th minute for New England, which had lost each of its previous four meetings with Inter Miami.
Gill’s goal began when Dole Turziman converted Will Sands’ long throw-in into the box. He basically just put the ball where Gil could get it as he rushed forward. Gil chipped the ball past Inter Miami goalkeeper Dane St. Clair to take the lead.
The goal came just minutes after Inter Miami appeared to have taken the lead, but Tadeo Allende’s right-footed shot was ruled out for offside.
After about 20 minutes, Inter Miami decided the game. Luis Suarez spun around and attempted a shot from near the goal mouth, but the low roller was saved by New England goaltender Matt Turner. The ball hit Turner’s hand, deflected it, and flew to the right of Bertelame, who easily scored it to make it 1-1.
Until then, it looked like the Revolution would score their first series win since June 10, 2023, just days after Messi surprised many in the soccer world by saying he would come to MLS and join Inter Miami. It was only a few weeks before Messi actually started playing for Inter Miami.
Inter Miami has outscored New England 16-5 in their first four games since 2023, winning all four games.
Messi had a few chances, including in the 38th minute when he ran down a ball that was deflected into the box with his back to two defenders.
Messi appeared to stumble ever so slightly as he forced the ball into his left foot. He took a weak shot and sent it wide, then looked up at the sky and smiled incredulously after the play.
He hit a corner kick into the net midway through the first half and had another great chance from about 12 yards out in stoppage time. Both of those shots were easily saved by Turner, and the teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
Inter Miami have five games remaining before MLS’s seven-week break for the FIFA World Cup begins. Five looming opponents – Orlando, Toronto, Cincinnati, Portland and Philadelphia – currently have no winning records.
Toronto (3-3-4) is at .500, but none of the other four clubs that started Saturday were higher than 12th in the conference standings.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
