Lionel Messi watched from the sideline as his Inter Miami side split points with New York City FC on Saturday night.
Club co-owner David Beckham and his family were also in attendance as the team’s winless streak now extends to two games.
The game was tied at 1-1 at the intermission as both teams both struggled to find their rhythm offensively. At the end of 90 minutes and change, neither side secured a clincher to leave Chase Stadium with three points.
Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 15th minute with his fifth goal of the season. Julian Gressel provided the assist with a cross from a freekick to find the Uruguayan for the header past Matt Freese.
NYCFC would equalize in the 34th with Alonso Martinez’s right-footed strike slotting past Drake Callender. The goal marked Martinez’s first in MLS in his first start for NYCFC.
→ Swipe to see more articles
Lionel Messi watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami drew 1-1 against New York City FC
Luis Suarez scored a header from a set piece to put Inter Miami up 1-0 in the 15th minute
Club co-owner David Beckham was also in attendance at Chase Stadium for Saturday’s game
NYCFC was also in a five-way tie for the worst-scoring team in MLS with only four goals.
On the other hand, Inter Miami entered Saturday’s meeting with a 3-1-2 record. The Herons have been without Messi for six games now with the Argentine tending to a right hamstring injury.
Miami looked to bounce back after suffering their first scoreless loss on the receiving end of a 4-0 beating in the hands of the New York Red Bulls.
The stalemate saw Inter Miami control 56.1 percent of the possession.
The hosts also outshot their guests, 16-10. However, only six of Inter Miami’s attempts found the frame. Meanwhile, NYCFC hit the target three times.
New York City FC equalized in the 34th minute of the game with a goal from Alfonso Martinez
Inter Miami failed to find a second goal despite attempting 16 shots against New York City FC
Despite failing to find the net again, the men in pink showed their teeth several times, forcing Freese to five saves.
Suarez’s goal places him in a second-place tie with LA Galaxy’s Dejan Joveljic for the top scorers this season. The Red Bulls’ Lewis Morgan leads the race with six.
Inter Miami will remain at home for their next match when they host Monterey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on April 3. Meanwhile, NYCFC will host Eastern Conference competitor Atlanta United on the sixth.
The Herons sit second in the East behind FC Cincinnati with 11 points. On the other hand, NYCFC is in 14th place with four points.
The two teams will meet again on September 21 when Inter Miami heads to the Big Apple. The Herons hope to have Messi before then as they look for their first franchise MLS title after his blockbuster signing last year.
