Inter Miami Escapes From New York With 2-0 Win Over The Red Bulls

Red Bull Arena – Diego Gomez and Lionel Messi scored a goal each to lead Inter Miami CF to an important road win over the New York Red Bulls in their arduous quest to make the MLS Playoffs. Fans in New York witnessed a mesmerizing Messi goal in the 89-minute to seal the deal for Miami. The win moved the Herons up to the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference with 21 points. The Chicago Fire currently holds the 9th and final playoff spot with 32 points. However, Miami has two games in hand.

Kick Off

Miami’s Starting XI featured five players under twenty-one, with Tata Martino opting to give some starters a rest. Miami’s youthful brigade of U-22 Initiave players Facundo Farias, Diego Gomez, and Tomas Aviles joined Homegrown players David Ruiz and Noah Allen from the onset of the match.

Tata refreshes the Starting XI with young players getting important minutes..Campana 🔔, Farias, Gómez, Ruiz, Avilés, Allen…#Messi𓃵 & Busquets get some rest on the bench…#MLS #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/tGKKzFkXTC

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 26, 2023

Aviles was cautioned with a yellow card 20 minutes into the match for an imprudent tackle near the Miami box. The young Herons were full of impetus but lacked the fluidity and subtle creativity to generate clear scoring opportunities early on.

However, in the 37-minute, Allen sent a pass to Gomez who controlled the ball and sent a well-placed left-footed shot into the NY net.

Diego Gómez gets a left- footed shot inside the NY box in the 37’ minute to put #InterMiamiCF  ahead 1-0…Maybe this is just what Gómez needed to finally take off confidently…#MLS https://t.co/P7FtIlQbxF

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 27, 2023

NY had several opportunities to score but failed to capitalize. Miami led 1-0 at the half.

Messi Magic

Lionel Messi, the man everyone went to see, came onto the pitch in the 60th minute. The NY crowd erupted in cheers as if he was the hometown hero. It didn’t take long for Lionel to deliver some magic, because in the 89-minute he scored off a grandiose team play.

In a NY minute, Lionel #Messi𓃵 comes on & makes a amazing pass to then receive the ball ⚽️ back to tap in his goal… We are all blessed to be able to see this demigod play…#InterMiamiCF  #MLS https://t.co/zqncOTYiPs

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 27, 2023

The Red Bulls continued to create chances, more than Miami, but were ineffective on the night while Miami took care of their opportunities. The Herons escaped from NY with three valuable points in their uphill climb to a playoff spot.

Postgame

Kamal Miller was asked about the importance of this first victory in the team’s return to MLS action,

It’s a massive win, especially getting a clean sheet

Miami must mount a fantastic turnaround to their MLS season in order to have a chance to make the playoffs. A win against the Red Bulls on the road was an impressive way to start. The Herons have improved their offensive output and have amped up their defensive prowess in a short period of time making them candidates to make a miraculous run.

When asked what it is like to see Messi perform from his perfect vantage point in the Miami defense, Miller stated,

I’m in the back and I catch myself watching him instead of picking up on my assignment. It’s tough to stay focused when you have such a great presence in front of you.

Lionel Messi is awe-inspiring because of his superhuman talent on the pitch. Even teammates catch themselves focusing on Messi when he has the ball, waiting for the moment of pure brilliance that will surely come during every match. Blink and you might miss it.

Final Thoughts

The kids are going to be alright for Inter Miami. Against the Red Bulls, five starters were under the age of 21. Leo Campana, a young DP, just turned 23.  They held their own and then some. The three U-22 Initiative players were all making their first starts for Miami. David Ruiz and Noah Allen are nineteen-year-olds with several starts under their belts. These young players are producing right now and will be the pillars of the not-so-distant future.

The improbable Inter Miami season continues with the US Open Cup Finals versus Houston Dynamo on the horizon. Miami could hoist its second trophy in team history barely a month after winning their first. If Miami wins the US Open Cup then talk of the “Miami Treble ” would be the talk of the town. First, they have to defeat Houston in the Finals, and then they have to qualify for the MLS Playoffs. If those two things happen, the ” Miami Treble” could really happen.

Lionel Messi is a talent unlike any other that has graced a football pitch. His geometrically prophetic pass to Benjamin Cremaschi was a thing of beauty, a football masterpiece. Inter Miami CF fans are blessed to have “Messi and Friends” on their team.