Inter Miami salvages unlikely 2-2 draw against NYCFC
Herons’ newcomer Telasco Segovia chipped a shot over keeper Matt Freese in stoppage time to even the score.
Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia celebrates after scoring the equalizer in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time./Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
For 23 minutes Saturday, it looked like Inter Miami might rout New York City FC in the MLS season opener for both teams. But there are more — many more — than 23 minutes in a match.
Tomas Aviles scored on a free kick in the fifth minute on a through ball from Lionel Messi, and the poised and purposeful Pink & Black seemed in control of the match. But they wouldn’t score again until, trailing 2-1, newcomer Telasco Segovia took a pass from Messi in stride and lifted it over sprawling goalkeeper Matt Freese in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time.
The Herons’ poise disintegrated in the 23rd minute after Aviles was ejected for bringing down New York striker Alonzo Martinez barely outside the penalty box. Defender Mitja Ilenic scored on a pass from Maxi Morales on the ensuing free kick.
Down a man, and with first-half injuries to starters Fafa Picault and Chelo Weigandt, the Herons scrapped their way to halftime tied 1-1.
New York took the lead in the 55th minute when normally reliable wingback Jordi Alba — one of the greatest defenders of his generation — carelessly kicked the ball back toward the Herons’ goal and right into the path of Martinez, who easily beat Ustari to make the score 2-1.
Herons coach Mascherano deployed a 4-3-3 formation to start the match. Omar Ustari again started for injured goalkeeper Drake Callender (adductor muscle); Alba and Weigandt were the wing backs with Aviles and Noah Allen as the center backs. Benjamin Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets and David Ruiz started in the midfield, with Picault and Messi on the wings and Luis Suarez at striker.
Robert Taylor replaced Picault in the seventh minute after the Haitian pulled up lame, clutching at his left hamstring. Ian Fray subbed in for David Ruiz in the 27th minute, and Federico Redondo started the second half for Weigandt, who was visibly limping before the break.
Segovia replaced Suarez and Center Back Gonzalo Lujan replaced Cremaschi in the 59th minute.
Inter Miami was playing its second match in four days after edging Sporting KC 1-0 in a frigid first-round Concacaf Champions Cup match Wednesday in Kansas. The Herons have another short turnaround before hosting Sporting in the second leg of their cup tie at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chase Stadium.
The Herons continue their MLS schedule with a road match against Houston Dynamo at 7 p.m. EST Sunday, March 2.