Inter Miami CF kicked off its 2025 MLS regular season tonight, with the team drawing 2-2 in a hard-fought matchup against New York City FC in the Club’s 2025 MLS Season Home Opener. Defender Tomás Avilés and second-half-substitute Telasco Segovia scored the team's goals at Chase Stadium, while captain Lionel Messi registered two assists on the night.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami took the field for its 2025 MLS regular season opener with Óscar Ustari in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Noah Allen, Avilés and Jordi Alba formed a back line of four; David Ruiz, Sergio Busquets and Benjamin Cremaschi started in midfield; Messi, Luis Suárez and Fafa Picault led the team in attack.
Match Action
Inter Miami started the match on the front foot, with the team quickly being rewarded with the breakthrough goal in the fifth minute of action. After receiving a line-splitting ball from Alba to break into the opponent’s box, Messi set up Avilés in front of goal, who finished first time from close range to score Inter Miami’s first goal in the 2025 MLS regular season and give the team the lead. Notably, by serving the assist on the team’s opening goal of the regular season, Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goal contributions in MLS regular season action (21 goals, 19 assists), doing so in just 26 matches.
In the 23rd minute, Avilés was shown a red card and Inter Miami had to carry on the remainder of the match playing one player down.
NYCFC equalized in the 26th minute through a goal by Mitja Ilenic to send the match into the half tied at 1-1.
In the second half, NYCFC took the advantage on the scoreline with a goal from forward Alonso Martínez in the 55th minute.
In the dying moments of the match, however, Inter Miami found the equalizer in dramatic fashion. A through ball from Messi found second-half-substitute Segovia inside the box, who calmly finished with a tidy chip over the keeper to send the ball to the back of the net. The goal was the first for Segovia for Inter Miami in what was his MLS debut, while Messi recorded his second assist of the match.
Post-Match Reaction
"We have to keep overcoming the obstacles we encounter along the way, but I'm one of those who focus on the positives. And today, beyond the result, I take away positive things, the fact that the team has soul, the team has life, and we are going to fight,“ said head coach Javier Mascherano.
Next Match
Next, Inter Miami is set to host Sporting Kansas City for the second leg of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series between the sides next Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium. Tickets for the thrilling second leg matchup are available HERE.
Stats:
Possession:
MIA - 58.1%
NYC - 41.9%
Shots:
MIA - 15
NYC - 8
Saves:
MIA - 3
NYC - 4
Corners:
MIA - 7
NYC - 3
Fouls:
MIA - 8
NYC - 11
