Inter Miami opened their Major League Soccer season with a 2-2 draw against New York City FC at home, despite facing challenges with a 10-man squad after Tomas Aviles's dismissal.
Inter Miami's performance featured Messi's crucial assists for both goals, including a vital equaliser in extended stoppage time.
The team, now under new leadership with Javier Mascherano replacing Gerardo Martino, showed signs of disorganisation despite featuring several new additions to the squad.
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The match began positively when Messi's corner kick found Jordi Alba, who delivered a precise diagonal pass back to Messi. The Argentine then assisted Aviles for the opening goal.
The situation deteriorated for Inter Miami when Fafa Picault sustained an apparent muscle injury in the 10th minute, followed by Aviles receiving a straight red card for a foul on Alonso Martinez.
NYCFC capitalised on their numerical advantage when Maxi Moralez's free-kick found Mitja Ilenic, who scored the equaliser.
With an inexperienced defence featuring Noah Allen and Ian Fray, Miami struggled to maintain control. A costly error by Alba led to Martinez scoring NYCFC's second goal.
Despite limited service to Messi and an underwhelming performance from Luis Suarez, who was later substituted, Miami persisted. Their efforts were rewarded when Messi's precise pass found Telasco Segovia, who cleverly chipped the ball over Matt Freese to secure a point.
