Follow usLionel Messi orchestrated one goal and played a role in another as Inter Miami withstood a second-half surge from Real Salt Lake to secure a 2-0 victory in the inaugural match of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
Miami dominated the opening half in Fort Lauderdale and finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Messi sliced through the defense, delivering a precise pass to Robert Taylor. Taylor’s low shot appeared to be saved by Zac MacMath, but it spun out of his grasp and into the net.
Real Salt Lake, tentative in the first half, came out rejuvenated after halftime, intensifying the pressure on Miami, who spent the offseason playing matches in Asia and the Middle East.
Miami weathered the onslaught, aided by crucial saves from goalkeeper Drake Callender. They sealed the victory when Messi, in tandem with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, set up Diego Gomez to make it 2-0 in the 83rd minute. The goal prompted fireworks at the newly-named Chase Stadium as the 29th MLS season commenced with a triumph for Messi’s team.
“I knew I was going to face tough competition in MLS,” said Suarez in his post-match comments through an interpreter. “Being one of the favorites for the title, we knew we were going to play against full force.”
Messi, who made a significant impact upon joining Miami midseason last July, leading them to a Leagues Cup title, couldn’t conjure enough magic to propel his new club to the playoffs despite their early-season struggles.
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