Inter Miami CF (4V-2L-3D, 15 points) earned a valuable 2-3 win on the road tonight against Sporting Kansas City in a packed Arrowhead Head Stadium with over 72,000 fans in the house, in what was the fourth-largest crowd in attendance for a match in MLS history. Goals from dynamic midfielder Diego Gómez, captain Lionel Messi and striker Luis Suárez led the team to the victory on the night.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami stepped onto the field with Drake Callender in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Nicolás Freire and Jordi Alba formed a back line of four; Julian Gressel, Sergio Busquets and David Ruiz started in midfield; captain Messi and Gómez flanked forward Suárez in attack.
Match Action
The hosts started the match on the front foot, with Kansas City taking a 1-0 lead early on in the sixth minute through a goal by midfielder Erik Thommy.
Inter Miami, however, didn’t take long in responding with a goal of its own and tied the match in the 18th minute. A brilliant through ball from Messi left Gómez one on one with the keeper, with the Paraguayan midfielder finishing with a first-time, right-footed finish to equal the scoring at 1-1. The goal was the second for Gómez this regular season and his third across all competitions in 2024. The assist and the secondary assist, meanwhile, were the team-leading fifth for Messi and Gressel respectively this regular season.
Inter Miami then took the lead early on in the second half. In the 51st minute, Messi received a pass from Ruiz before unleashing a long-distance, left-footed strike to send the ball to the back of the net and give the visitors the lead. The goal was Messi’s fifth this regular season and his seventh across all competitions in 2024 in just eight appearances, while the assist was the second for Ruiz this season.
The hosts were then able to fight back to tie the score at 2-2 with a second goal by Thommy in the 58th minute.
Inter Miami, however, would reclaim its lead 13 minutes later through a strike by Suárez. In the 71st minute, Gómez won possession on the left end of the pitch outside the opposition’s box before delivering an inch-perfect low cross into the box for Suárez to score. The goal was Suárez’s team-leading sixth this regular season and eighth across all competitions, while the assist was Gómez’s fifth to tie Messi and Gressel as the team’s top assist providers this regular season and his sixth this year.
The 2-3 scoreline then remained unchanged throughout the final minutes and Inter Miami claimed an important three points on the road against Sporting Kansas City.
Post-Match Reaction
“We have gained our sensations back, and I think we ended up winning this game in a good way. In that sense, we are satisfied,” said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. “Being first in the standings is something that is comforting, especially now that we have a long week ahead.”
Next Match
Next, Inter Miami will return home for the team’s upcoming regular season fixture when the team hosts Nashville SC at Chase Stadium on April 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Stats
Possession:
SKC - 50.2%
MIA - 49.8%
Shots:
SKC - 10
MIA - 10
Saves:
SKC - 3
MIA - 1
Corners:
SKC - 5
MIA - 1
Fouls:
SKC - 14
MIA - 9
