Inter Miami won the top game in the Eastern Conference 3:2 at previously unbeaten New York City FC. In a game full of twists and turns, superstar Lionel Messi was also in the spotlight, but the New York goalkeeper even more so.
Inter Miami got off to the perfect start: after a corner and subsequent ping-pong ball, the ball landed a little fortuitously with Lujan, who did not hesitate for long and put the visitors from Miami into an early lead (3rd). However, the champions were then unable to maintain or extend their lead against the home side, who were on the attack and on the run, and even caught a particularly impressive equalizer: Mercau scored from a perfectly struck direct free-kick from 17 metres to make it 1-1 and set the score at half-time (17′).
After the break, the game continued to gather pace – and turned into a minor spectacle. First it was Ojeda, who finished off a counter-attack in exemplary fashion to turn the tide and put New York ahead (59′). The joy didn’t last too long, however, as just two minutes later goalkeeper Freese made a serious mistake and caught Messi’s direct free-kick from almost 30 meters out.
Freese then also looked unfortunate at 3:2 when he was a little too far forward for Micael’s header from the right pentagon and was thus overcome by an arc lamp (74′). That was also the final score of the game. The win meant Miami drew level on points with New York in the table, but remain in third place due to their inferior goal difference. Meanwhile, the new leaders of the Eastern Conference are Nashville SC, who are the only unbeaten team in the East after five matchdays.
The MLS is now also taking a break for international matches and will not resume until Easter. Both Inter Miami and New York are back in action on Sunday, April 5: Messi & Co then host Austin FC, while the New Yorkers receive a visit from St. Louis City SC – kick-off is at 1:30 CEST in both cases.