Inter Miami CF (9W-15L-6D, 33 points) earned a point on Saturday night in a 1-1 draw against New York City FC at DRV PNK Stadium, with the team now unbeaten in its last six home MLS regular season home fixtures. Defender Tomás Avilés scored the team’s goal on the night, his first in MLS, assisted by attacker Robert Taylor, who leads the team in assists with 13 across all competitions in 2023.
Lineup Notes
Captain Drake Callender started in goal; Avilés, Sergii Kryvtsov, and Kamal Miller formed the back three with David Ruiz and Noah Allen alongside them as wingbacks; Sergio Busquets, Dixon Arroyo, and Benjamin Cremaschi started in midfield; Facundo Farías and Leonardo Campana led the attack. Callender wore the captain’s armband in the absence of Lionel Messi and DeAndre Yedlin on the night.
Match Action
The first moment of real danger for the hosts came in the 19th minute, when Farías stood over a free kick and clipped his delivery into the box, meeting Campana’s run, but the striker’s sliding volley attempt didn’t fully connect and was saved.
Inter Miami controlled possession in the half, finishing the first 45 minutes at 63%, but play continued at an even pace, with neither side breaking the other down.
The second half also presented an even matchup with both sides in search of the opener. It was the visitors however that struck first; midfielder Santiago Rodríguez gave NYCFC a 0-1 lead in the 77th minute.
Inter Miami then pressured in attack, fighting for an equalizer, and was rewarded in the dying moments of the match. Avilés rose inside the box to send a header to the back of the net in the fifth minute of added time after a ball from second-half substitute Robert Taylor off of a corner kick. The goal was Avilés’ first in MLS, while the assist was the team-leading seventh for Taylor this regular season.
In the ensuing moments, the hosts were inches from winning the match, with a shot from Ruiz inside the box in the seventh minute of added time bouncing off the crossbar and back into play.
The scoreline then remained unmoved for the final moments of the match for Inter Miami to claim a point at home, with the team now being unbeaten in its past six home fixtures in the 2023 MLS regular season.
Post-Match Reaction
"Tonight’s result is very valuable, not only because of the point, but because of the effort from the team, the search for the win. We had the chance to win it in the end, " said head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.
Heineken Star of the Match
Midfielder Busquets earned Heineken Star of the Match honors tonight after his influential performance in midfield.
Fan of the Match presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
For the second year in a row, Espolòn Tequila teamed up with Inter Miami CF to host the very special Hispanic Heritage Night presented by Espolòn Tequila, in a celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture. The activations at DRV PNK Stadium included a prematch performance by Latin Grammy-winning Panamanian rock band Los Rabanes.
In addition, Major League Soccer and adidas debuted the Hispanic Heritage Pre-Match Tops, worn by players in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month. Made in part with recycled materials and the Better Cotton Initiative, a program aimed at reducing the environmental impact of cotton production, the Hispanic Heritage Pre-Match Tops feature a bold design featuring Spanish-styled manuscript. As part of MLS’s support of the Hispanic community, and in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the League will make a donation to the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) scholarship fund, an organization dedicated to the employment, development and advancement of current and aspiring Hispanic professionals. Hispanic Heritage Pre-Match Tops are available for purchase on MLSstore.com.
Next Match
Next, Inter Miami will hit the road to face Chicago Fire on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.
Stats:
Possession:
MIA - 64.5%
NYC - 35.5%
Shots:
MIA - 12
NYC - 10
Saves:
MIA - 2
NYC - 0
Corners:
MIA - 7
NYC - 1
Fouls:
MIA - 17
NYC - 11
