Lionel Messi has dominated some of the most elite football leagues and he has burst into Major League Soccer in incredible fashion.
As Inter Miami led the New York Red Bulls 1-0, Messi came on in the 60th minute for his first regular season appearance in MLS. He offered a show to the public since just before stoppage time, he scored. Messi delivered a fine pass and received a return for a goal to give his side an insurance score to secure victory.
Messi set Inter Miami CF on fire during his short spell with the team, appearing in non-league games and leading the club to the Coupe des Ligues title earlier this month. This is Inter Miami’s first championship since David Beckham created the team in 2020. The Argentine superstar scored 10 goals in the tournament and won the best player award.
Inter Miami started the night at the bottom of the MLS rankings and this is their first step towards climb into a playoff spot.
When will Lionel Messi play next?
It hasn’t been announced if Messi will play in Inter Miami’s next game, but the next opportunity for him to suit up will be a rematch for the League Cup title. Inter Miami hosts Nashville SC on Wednesday, August 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Inter Miami score against New York Red Bulls, highlights
Inter Miami defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-0. Lionel Messi scored Miami’s second goal. Diego Gomez scored the first for Miami.
Inter Miami in MLS standings
The win over the New York Red Bulls means Inter Miami are no longer in last place in the MLS standings. The victory gave the club 21 regular season points, placing them in 14th place in the Eastern Conference. Toronto FC and Colorado Rapids are tied for the fewest points in MLS with 19.
The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs, and Inter Miami has some work to do to position itself for a playoff berth; they are 11 points behind ninth-placed Chicago Fire FC.
How many goals does Messi have?
With his goal on Saturday, Messi has now scored in eight of his nine games for Inter Miami. He now has 11 goals and six assists with his new club.
Messi scores, Inter Miami takes 2-0
The Messi magic continues.
After a missed free kick, Messi was able to enter the box and delivered a mad pass to Benjamin Cremaschi, who returned it to Messi with a wide-open net, allowing the Argentine to score his first official MLS goal at the 89th minute. capping off a perfect night for Inter Miami.
Times Square celebrates Messi’s goal
Saturday’s game was available in Times Square as crowds gathered to see Messi make his MLS regular season debut. Once he scored, the crowd celebrated in the monument.
Messi takes a free kick
Messi was in the right place to score from outside the box in the 86th minute, but New York’s Jorge Cabezas had no choice but to knock him down, drawing a yellow card.
Messi took a free kick but it hit the defenders’ wall.
Inter Miami’s offensive stalled with Messi
People were probably expecting magic from Messi once he entered the game, but the chances for him to put one in the back of the net have been hard to come by.
Messi got a few touches, including in the box, but he and his teammates couldn’t find the pace to create a scoring chance. Messi has been heavily marked in the 20 minutes he is on the pitch but his side are still leading 1-0. New York failed to convert any shots.
Tata Martino makes another change
After 10 minutes of Messi on the pitch, Martino made another change, bringing in Benjamin Cremaschi in place of Facundo Farías.
Messi comes on as a substitute in the 60th minute
Fans paid hundreds of dollars to see Messi make his MLS regular season debut, and it took time, but it paid off.
Messi entered the game in the 60th minute for Leonardo Campana, marking his first MLS action with his side leading 1-0.
Sergio Busquets and DeAndre Yedlin also replaced David Ruíz and Robert Taylor.
New York Red Bulls step up attack
No goal for New York at the start of the second half, but there were several chances developed as Inter Miami seemed to be in bad shape on the defensive end. Andrés Reyes and Daniel Edelman each had one shot, but Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender was able to block every shot. Tom Barlow got a clear shot inside the box, but Callender used his whole body to block the shot and keep New York off the board.
The Red Bulls spent the majority of the first 10 minutes of the half on the attacking side.
Messi starts to warm up
No Messi to start the second half but the football star started to warm up at the start of the half indicating he could step in as a substitute.
Substitutions in the second half
New York made some roster changes to start the second half, with Peter Stroud replacing Dru Yearwood and Tom Barlow replacing Elias Manoel.
Halftime: Inter Miami 1, New York Red Bulls 0
Diego Gómez’s goal made the difference on the scoreboard at halftime as Inter Miami led 1-0 as both teams headed to the locker room.
Inter Miami had 55% possession in the first half, with three shots. The New York Red Bulls had five shots, none of which were on goal.
VAR withdraws New York Red Bulls penalty
It looked like New York would have their chance to equalize after a handball was called on David Ruíz in the box. The game came under VAR review, which saw the ball hit his shoulder. The penalty shot was overturned, ending the Red Bulls’ chance to make it on the board.
Diego Gómez scores, Inter Miami take the lead
After the Red Bulls missed an easy shot, Inter Miami didn’t miss their chance.
After a deflected free-kick, Noah Allen delivered a perfect cross into the middle of the box for Diego Gómez, who fired a clear shot on goal and hit the back of the net from the bottom right to take the lead in the 37th minute .
It was almost a second goal shortly after going on the scoreboard, as Leonardo Campana fired an acrobatic left-footed shot into the box in the 41st minute, but was stopped by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
Teams exchange yellow cards
Each team was fouled early in the game, with the Red Bulls’ Cameron Harper receiving a yellow for a foul that resulted in an Inter Miami free kick. In the 20th minute, Tomás Avilés received a yellow card for a serious foul. New York managed to get a set piece just outside the box, but it went straight into Miami’s wall.
Inter Miami quickly take control of possession
Over 12 minutes had passed and Inter Miami had the majority of possession. No shots for either side so far, but Jordi Alba came close to scoring one inside the box.
To start up
The action has started from the Red Bull Arena!
Does Messi start?
The starting XI doesn’t include Messi, as the Argentine will start Saturday’s game on the bench. He could step in as a substitute later in the game.
Inter Miami starting XI
Martino will go with a 5-4-1 formation for Saturday’s game:
- Goalkeeper: Drake Callender
- Robert Taylor
- Tomas Aviles
- Kamal Miller
- Noah Allen
- Jordi Alba
- Diego Gomez
- Dixon Arroyo
- David Ruiz
- Facundo Farias
- Leonardo Campana
New York Red Bulls starting XI
Manager Troy Lesesne will opt for a 4-5-1 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Carlos Coronel
- John Tolkin
- Sean Nealis
- Andres Reyes
- Cameron Harper
- Luquinhas
- Dru Yearwood
- Daniel Edelman
- Frankie Amaya
- Omir Fernandez
- Elias Manoel
Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls announcers
Apple TV will have its core announcer team on call, with Jake Zivin as play-by-play announcer and Taylor Twellman as lead analyst. Katie Witham will be the supporting reporter.
How to watch Messi, Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls tonight
The game between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls begins Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
The Inter Miami-New York Red Bulls game can be streamed live on MLS season pass on AppleTV.
Does Messi play against the New York Red Bulls?
Inter Miami CF head coach Tata Martino has not given an answer on whether Lionel Messi will play in Saturday’s game against the New York Red Bulls.
“Leo and many other players are reaching an important physical limit and from now on we will have to assess how we approach these next three games,” he said. according to the Miami Herald.
Messi, visibly tired during the semi-final of the US Open Cup On Wednesday, he traveled with the team to face New York. Martino said he will have a better idea of Messi’s availability after Friday’s training session.
Inter Miami played four games – three away games – in 12 days. Their next schedule includes two trips across the country, from New York to Miami and then to Los Angeles to take on LAFC.
Watch: Messi arrives at the Red Bull Arena
Inter Miami tease Messi will play
There is a lot of speculation as to whether Messi will play on Saturday, but his club’s social media account teased an appearance with a photo of his kit hanging in the locker room.
MLS Ranking
Despite Inter Miami’s recent success with Messi, the club have yet to play a regular season game in MLS with him on the roster. The team sits last in MLS with 18 points this season and a 5-14-3 record. They will face a New York Red Bulls team that sits 11th in the Eastern Conference with 29 points and a 7-9-8 record.
Watch Messi in Times Square
New York City fully embraces “Messimania”.
With Messi’s arrival in the tri-state area, the game between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls will be televised in Times Square, giving tourists and residents the chance to watch Messi play in his first game. regular season in MLS. The game will be shown on a giant screen outside the Marriott Marquis.
Football’s GOAT meets Tennis’ GOAT
Two sports legends are in New York this weekend and had the opportunity to catch up.
Messi and tennis star Novak Djokovic smiled for a photo together, as the tennis star is in New York for the U.S. Openwhich should start on Monday.
“”Crack! A great pleasure to see you and talk to you. As always, I wish good luck and health to you and your family,” Djokovic said on Instagram.
