All indications prior to tonight were that Lionel Messi would see minimal action, if any, in his first opportunity for MLS minutes with Inter Miami.
Yet with Inter Miami leading 1-0 on a Diego Gomez first-half goal, and the Red Bull Arena crowd begging to see the Argentine superstar, they would get their wish. Messi entered for over a half-hour of action, and his 89th minute goal sealed the win as the Herons topped the New York Red Bulls in Messi's MLS debut.
Back to league action for the stretch run after the Leagues Cup break, Inter Miami sat bottom of the Eastern Conference with 12 games remaining, needing a near-perfect finish to the season for a sniff at a playoff position. The mountain for them to climb is towering, but these three points against a fellow playoff chaser are a fantastic start.
With Messi and Sergio Busquets on the bench to start the match, needing rest after a grueling first month of action for their new club, Inter Miami fought well, surviving an Omir Fernandez miss to take the lead on Gomez's excellent opener. While the Red Bulls had chances to equalize, it was Messi's first-ever MLS goal to seal the three points, which took Inter Miami off the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and into 14th, jumping above Toronto FC.
The Sporting News is following the NY Red Bulls vs Inter Miami match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
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