In Lionel Messi's MLS debut, Inter Miami were able to pick up a 2-0 victory without the Argentine even needing to start the match against New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in front of a record crowd of 26,276 at Red Bull Arena. Diego Gomez would score his first goal for the Herons assisted by Noah Allen in the first half, and Lionel Messi got his 14th goal contribution after coming in from the bench in the 60th minute. It's an important victory for the Herons as they're now off the bottom of the Eastern Conference and can gain ground in the playoff race as well.
It was a promising first half for Tata Martino as performances from younger players like David Ruiz, Facundo Farias, Tomas Aviles and Gomez will go a long way to showing that the team has the depth to compete for a playoff spot. With 11 games left, Miami can't afford to drop points, which is why facing a team not in a playoff position in the Red Bulls was a critical match.
Chants of "We want Messi" rang out through the stadium, and the fans were treated to the show that they asked for when Messi came off the bench and scored in a beautiful give-and-go with Benjamin Cremaschi.
Getting his first MLS goal, Messi is now 12 goals off the Golden Boot lead, which is 13 goals scored by Hany Mukhtar. While it's unlikely that Messi will catch the Nashville SC star, anything is possible when Messi has 14 goal contributions in only nine matches with the club. Every week he raises expectations, and he could become the second leading goal scorer in Inter Miami history in the next few weeks as his 11 goals in all competitions only trail Leonardo Campana's 18 for the second spot.
Miami has improved immensely with Messi but the real test begins now. The Herons will return home to DRV PNK stadium to face Nashville SC on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Don't miss CBS Sports Golazo Network's Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs you need to follow the Beautiful Game in every corner of the globe, every Monday-Friday all year long
The gap to a playoff place can be closed to 11 points if the LA Galaxy can pull out a victory at home. But even if they can't Miami can only control the games in front of them. They have games in hand and this was a best case scenario with being able to rest Messi while also winning ahead of a lengthy run over the next week that will include facing Nashville SC again and LAFC.
It looked like a broken play but you can't break a play with Messi involved as a give and go with Cremaschi has put the match out of sight. It's an excellent assist and finish as the Red Bull defenders were right there with us watching greatness and didn't know what to do. Messi has now been in evolved in a goal in every appearance that he has had for the club and the MLS Golden Boot race is on.
Corenel was in a great position as Alba's cross was palmed away but Miami will now have a free kick from outside the box which is prone range for Lionel Messi.
It has been a good showing for Farias but the change is an important one to provide fresh legs in the side. Miami needs an insurance goal before long as New York has still been able to create chances.
The crowd has asked and Tata Martino has delivered as Lionel Messi will make his Major League Soccer debut. While the expectation was for him to only play 10-15 minutes, a response has to be made as New York has been pressing during the second half. Sergio Busquets and DeAndre Yedlin will also enter the match. Leonardo Campana, David Ruiz, and Robert Taylor will exit.
Making a massive save on Tom Barlow, Callender yet again was able to ensure that Miami keeps their slim lead. Martino has seen enough as Busquets, Yedlin and Messi are all preparing to enter the match.
Messi and the Inter Miami bench are officially warming up, which gives the packed house at Red Bull Arena a first glimpse of the man they paid top dollar to see. Naturally, the crowd marked the moment with cheers and Messi chants.
Drake Callender was called into action after Fernandez put a header on target as the changes are helping push New York forward. With the match inching closer to the 60 minute mark though, it means that we're getting closer to Messi and Yedlin entering the match.
Tom Barlow and Peter Stroud will enter after halftime but the Red Bulls will have to wait for Inter Miami to return to the pitch as the Herons have delayed coming out from the break in every away match so far.
Hello from Red Bull Arena, where there have been more Messi chants (9) than shots (8) during the first half. The pro-Miami crowd was in a celebratory mood when Gomez scored to give the visitors the league, but Messi loomed large over the first half despite sitting on the bench. We'll see if Tata Martino gives the people what they want in the second half.
After the review, the appropriate call was given and the Red Bulls will now go back to attacking. Ruiz's yellow card was also rescinded due to their being no hand ball.
It's given due two a hand ball for Ruiz. It's a questionable call as the midfielder has his arm in a natural position and will be reviewed by VAR. Alan Chapman will review at the monitor to double check.
It's Gomez's first goal for Inter Miami and couldn't have come at a better time. Capping off a great move from the team Gomez scores with Miami's first shot on target of the game and the Herons are now pushing for a second goal in the match. A massive massive goal before the half.
It has been a fun half so far but with no goals to show for it as chants of "we want Messi" are ringing out around the stadium. Fernandez had a chance at goal but puts it wide. Were the chants getting to him?
Trying to stop Luquinhas isn't easy but making his second start for Miami, Aviles made a rash challenge to give the Red Bulls a free kick in a dangerous positon. Tolkin's free kick goes into the wall which is a let off for Inter Miami.
After giving the ball away the young midfielder was able to win it back putting the Herons on the attack. They hold the possession advantage so far but don't have much to show for it yet except a few set pieces.
While Gomez's shot wasn't on target, Jordi Alba was able to create an excellent chance for the Herons on the counter. A little more of that and it won't be ling until they have a goal to their name.
Without Messi, the first 25 mintues will be critical for both teams. If Miami can get ahead, it shows that their project is ahead of schedule but if the Red Bulls are able to force a quick lead, they could create a scenario where Messi can't pull Miami out of an early hole.
The Red Bulls are also debuting a 50th anniversary of hip-hop kit during tonight's match.
Without their star striker, even more focus will be on clean defending for the Red Bulls. It won't be an easy task as even without Messi, Miami can push the pace of the attack but the Red Bulls also need to win this game if they want to make playoffs.
Starters: Carlos, Tolkin, Nealis, Reyes, Harper, Luquinhas, Yearwood, Amaya, Fernandez, Elias Manoel, Edelman
After playing 684 minutes since joining Inter Miami, Messi starts on the bench for only the second time since officially debuting for the club against Cruz Azul. Sergio Busquets will also join him in starting the match among the reserves.
Replacing his creativity in the lineup will be young Argentine Facundo Farias who is making his first start as a member of the Herons. Without Messi in the lineup, it will be interesting to see how Miami's buildup play changes as everyone won't be focused on passing to him but it will also put more pressure on the defense. There's more pressure not to let in an early goal as it won't be as easy for Messi to pull out magic to get the team out of it although as long as the match is close in the second half, Messi can come in to pus the team to victory.
Starters: Callender, Alba, Allen, Miller, Aviles, Taylor, Ruiz, Gomez, Arroyo, Farias, Campana
Miami are 14 points behind the line for ninth place and a playoff spot but they face the New York Red Bulls, Nashville SC, and Los Angeles FC in their next three games. Not only are Nashville and LAFC among the best teams in the league, but the Nashville match is also a home game where the Leagues Cup trophy will be presented to the home faithful. Minutes management is part of why Martino had to play a new 3-5-2 formation against FC Cincinnati and it's rotation that will have to continue as well.
Facing a team below the playoff line, this is a must win for the Herons. They don't have much time to make up ground in the league, so even if Messi is on the bench, they need to win the clash. Defensively, Miami has improved but Drake Callender has been under a lot of pressure in net. While the Red Bulls don't have a top attack, they're playing with fire if they don't begin limiting the opposition more.
This team is among the best defensive teams in the league and now they're faced with the impossible task of keeping Messi from being involved in a goal. It's something no team has accomplished yet. The best hope for them is that Messi doesn't start the match, in which case a new kit debut could help push them to an early lead in the match. Miami will also need to watch out for giving the Red Bulls set play scenarios as well after John Tolkin scored from a direct free kick in his last match. Forward Dante Vanzeir will also be a game-time decision with a hamstring injury.
Tonight the night that Inter Miami's real season starts as they need to overturn a 14 point deficit to make playoffs. But, with so many games played, a large question looms of if Lionel Messi will start the game or come off the bench. While it makes sense for Tata Martino to rest him, this is also the night of his MLS league debut in an important time for the Herons.
