Lionel Messi watched from the sideline as his Inter Miami side split points with New York City FC on Saturday night.
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.
New York City FC entered the game with a 1-0-4 record, coming off a narrow 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati. The Pigeons’ lone win this season came in a 2-1 showing against Toronto FC.
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
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.
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