Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to victory in first match with new coach
Lionel Messi netted two goals, including a remarkable winner in the 79th minute, leading Inter Miami to triumph in the debut match of new interim coach Guillermo Hoyos on Saturday.
Mexican forward Germán Berterame also found the net as Miami overcame the Colorado Rapids 3-2 in front of a crowd of 75,824, marking the second-highest attendance in MLS history, at Empower Field at Mile High.
This match marked Miami’s first since Javier Mascherano resigned as coach on Tuesday, just four months after leading the team to its inaugural MLS Cup title.
Hoyos, who has a longstanding connection with Messi from their time at Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia academy over two decades ago, was appointed to lead the first team for “the upcoming matches,” transitioning from his previous position as sporting director.
Messi initiated the scoring by converting a penalty in the 13th minute, followed by his decisive late goal. After a turnover by Colorado near midfield, Messi maneuvered near the right corner of the penalty area and unleashed a rising shot that navigated between two defenders and nestled inside the back post.
This season, Messi has scored seven goals, tying with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa for the most in MLS.
Miami (4-1-3) is currently on a seven-match unbeaten streak and has not suffered a loss since the season opener, where they fell 3-0 to LAFC.
Yannick Bright received a straight red card in the 87th minute, leaving Miami to finish the match with ten players.
The Rapids (4-4-0) had secured victories in their previous two matches and three of their last four.
Bright earned a penalty after being fouled by Josh Atencio, which Messi successfully converted to open the scoring.
Mateo Silvetti, positioned along the right end line, delivered a curling cross to the back post where Berterame headed it in to extend the lead to 2-0 in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Berterame scored his first MLS goal in the previous match, a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls.
Rafael Navarro found the net for the Rapids in the 58th minute. The 26-year-old forward had scored twice in a 6-2 victory over Houston in the last match and has a total of six goals this season.
Darren Yapi came on for Hamzat Ojediran and quickly scored on a counter-attack, leveling the match at 2-2 in the 62nd minute.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
