Inter Miami CF (5W-13L-1D, 16 points) earned a 1-1 draw with Austin FC at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday night. Heineken Star of the Match Josef Martínez scored the team’s goal on the night, making MLS history in the process.
Lineup Notes
Drake Callender started in goal; Robert Taylor, Ian Fray, Sergii Kryvtsov, Noah Allen lined up in defense; David Ruiz and Dixon Arroyo anchored the midfield with Benjamin Cremaschi, Rodolfo Pizarro and Robbie Robinson in front of them; Martínez spearheaded the attack.
Robinson registered his first start of the season on the night, while defenders Israel Boatwright and Tyler Hall again featured on the bench on short-term loan agreements from the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro team, Inter Miami CF II.
Match Action
Inter Miami was active in possession from early in the match, but turned up the pressure just before halftime. The team created a trio of big chances just before the intermission, including a one-on-one chance for Martínez that drew a save from the Austin goalkeeper’s extended leg. The chance was quickly followed by a pair of powerful long-range shots from Fray and Robinson respectively, but both were saved, sending the game into halftime scoreless.
Inter Miami continued to build on its momentum to open the second half, netting the opener in the 47th minute; Cremaschi drove down the right wing and crossed to Martínez in the box, who calmly received the ball and struck past the keeper to net the opener. The goal marked more history for the team’s talisman, as it brought his MLS regular season tally up to 103, breaking the deadlock for tenth most in league history; the goal against Austin also marked the 27th different MLS club Martínez has scored against, the most in league history. The goal was also Martínez’s fifth of the season, the most on the team.
The team nearly scored again just two minutes later when Cremaschi’s first-time roulette freed him in the box, but his strike was saved, and follow ups from Martínez and Robinson were denied and off the mark, respectively.
Then, in the 51st minute, Austin leveled when a deflection found Nick Lima on the edge of the box and he finished to make it 1-1.
Inter Miami pushed for a winner throughout the remainder of the half, including notable chances from Cremaschi and second-half substitute Leonardo Campana, but the match ended tied, giving Inter Miami its first draw of the MLS season.
Next Match
The team will return to action in just a few days, taking on the Columbus Crew in a Fourth of July matchup at DRV PNK Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Post-Match Reaction
"I’m proud and I’m happy with the way they played. If we continue to play that way, the results will come," said Interim Head Coach Javier Morales. "We created a lot of good chances, we controlled the game, and we focused on those positive things and that’s important to us."
Heineken Star of the Match
Martínez was voted Heineken Star of the Match thanks to his history-making goal on the night.
Fan of the Match presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Stats
Possession:
MIA - 53.4%
ATX - 46.6%
Shots:
MIA - 18
ATX - 12
Saves:
MIA - 3
ATX - 7
Corners:
MIA - 2
ATX - 7
Fouls:
MIA - 16
ATX - 11
