Inter Miami remains without a victory at their new stadium as Messi is thwarted in the closing moments.
Lionel Messi had a free kick denied in stoppage time as Inter Miami played to a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, continuing their winless streak at their new stadium.
Messi assisted Mexico forward Germán Berterame for a second-half goal that provided Inter Miami with its initial lead at Nu Stadium, but 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti’s first professional goal in the 77th minute ensured a draw against Messi and the reigning MLS Cup champions.
Miami also ended in a 2-2 tie when Austin FC came to visit last week for the debut of its highly anticipated new venue.
Mateo Silvetti also netted a goal for Inter Miami (3-1-3), which remains unbeaten in its last six MLS encounters. Jorge Ruvalcaba scored for the Red Bulls (3-2-2), who have secured only one victory in their last five matches but managed to earn a point in this contest after squandering an early 1-0 advantage.
Berterame’s goal, his first for Miami following a $15 million offseason transfer, appeared to give Inter Miami a degree of control.
There were at least four defenders within a few yards of Messi—two directly positioned between him and the goal—as he advanced the ball toward the box in the 55th minute, and with so much attention on him, no one seemed to be marking Berterame just to his left.
No shot, no issue. In fact, it turned out to be somewhat of a fortunate break for the Red Bulls.
Messi had the ball taken away, but it rolled directly to Berterame, who struck first time with his right foot to give Miami a 2-1 advantage—with the Argentine star being the first to embrace him in a celebratory headlock after the goal.
However, a pair of young players ensured the lead was short-lived.
Julian Hall, 18, assisted Mehmeti for the equalizer, finding space near the goal line and placing the ball in the ideal location.
Messi had an opportunity in the 49th minute from approximately 12 yards out. He received the ball near the top of the box, halted abruptly as Red Bulls defender Matthew Dos Santos slid past, flicked the ball to his left foot, and attempted a shot to the near post. It went narrowly wide as he fell to the ground.
Both teams had goals disallowed due to offside calls—New York’s following a review—in the second half. Messi then had a 25-yard free kick saved by Red Bulls goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in the 94th minute.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
