In a thrilling encounter on February 22, 2025, at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami CF and New York City FC battled to a 2-2 draw in their Major League Soccer season opener. The match was marked by early goals, a red card, and a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer, showcasing the resilience and determination of both teams.
Early Dominance and Setbacks
Inter Miami CF wasted no time asserting their presence, taking the lead in the 5th minute. Lionel Messi, demonstrating his playmaking prowess, exchanged passes with Jordi Alba before delivering a precise assist to defender Tomás Avilés, who calmly slotted the ball past NYCFC’s goalkeeper, Matt Freese. This early advantage energized the home crowd and set the tone for a high-paced match.
However, the momentum shifted in the 23rd minute when Avilés received a straight red card for a foul on Alonso Martínez near the edge of the penalty area. This dismissal forced Inter Miami to play with ten men for the remainder of the match, challenging their defensive structure and strategy.
NYCFC Capitalizes and Takes the Lead
Seizing the opportunity, NYCFC equalized just three minutes later. From the resulting free-kick, captain Maxi Moralez delivered a clever pass to an unmarked Mitja Ilenič, who fired a low shot into the net, leveling the score at 1-1. This quick response showcased NYCFC’s tactical awareness and ability to exploit numerical advantages.
The visitors continued to press in the second half and were rewarded in the 55th minute. A misplaced pass by Jordi Alba was intercepted by Alonso Martínez, who advanced towards goal and finished confidently, giving NYCFC a 2-1 lead. This turnaround highlighted the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the match.
Inter Miami’s Resilience and Late Equalizer
Despite being a man down, Inter Miami displayed remarkable resilience. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Messi once again proved instrumental. He threaded a precise through ball to substitute Telasco Segovia, who, on his MLS debut, chipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw in the 100th minute. This late equalizer ignited celebrations among the home supporters and underscored the team’s fighting spirit.
Post-Match Reflections
Inter Miami’s head coach, Javier Mascherano, praised his team’s determination, stating, “The team has soul, the team has life, and we are going to fight.” His counterpart, Pascal Jansen of NYCFC, acknowledged the hard-fought nature of the match and the positives his team could take from their performance.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will aim to build on this result as they progress through the season. Inter Miami is set to host Sporting Kansas City in the second leg of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series on February 25 at Chase Stadium. Meanwhile, NYCFC will prepare for their next MLS fixture against LAFC on March 1 at BMO Stadium.
For fans eager to relive the excitement, full match highlights are available on the official MLS website.
This season opener showcased the unpredictability and excitement that Major League Soccer consistently delivers, setting high expectations for the matches to come.
