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 Herons 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 pigons 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.
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 Pigeons on opening day.