MESSI OFF TO A FIERY START

INTER MIAMI

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After a rocky preseason record, Inter Miami got off on the right foot—and over defenders—with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake Wednesday before 21,137 at Chase Stadium. 

Miami dominated the first half, capped off by a beautiful Robert Taylor shot in the box at 39’ after a Lionel Messi set-up. Even when Salt Lake came back firing in the second half, Miami’s defense locked down the goal box and limited shots on target, though they seemed affected by heavy legs as time ticked by. Most of Miami’s youngest core started on the bench. 

Messi was not without shots himself, zipping between defenders down the stretch including a new highlight for the 36-year-old’s reel—dribbling over a defender for a power shot interrupted by Salt Lake defense. You thought you’d seen it all!

In the 83’, Diego Gomez finished off scoring with a shot of his own. Salt Lake’s transition offense proved most threatening, but they were never able to capitalize. 

Tata Martino’s Miami didn’t look quite as dominant as in Leagues Cup last season, turning the ball over in their own half often, but the defense and saves from Drake Callender kept Salt Lake scoreless.

If on-field communication increases over the season and Miami locks in—which can be hoped for—there’s no telling how far they will go. Maybe with Messi for his first full season, Inter Miami will finally get a deep MLS Cup Playoff run. 

Inter Miami visits LA Galaxy Sunday.

This also marked the first game using replacement referees after MLS and the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) refused to meet the demands of the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA). PSRA picketed today outside PRO headquarters in Texas.