Inter Miami, the team that signed Lionel Messi, is still in the bottom of the North American Football League (MLS) and suffered its sixth consecutive defeat this Saturday, losing 3-1 to the New England Revolution.
With the entire MLS waiting for the long-awaited arrival of Messi, his Argentinian compatriot Lucas Zelarayán was the highlight of the 18th round with a spectacular goal in which he kicked the ball from his field to give Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire.
LUCAS ZELARAYAN FROM MIDFIELD TO WIN IT IN STOPPAGE TIME 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/LfHqeJ6i7c
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 11, 2023
Other notable Latin American players who scored were Peruvian Raúl Ruidíaz (Seattle), Mexican Alan Pulido (Kansas City), Colombian Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández (Crew) and Uruguayan Facundo Torres (Orlando).
The round began with another defeat for Inter Miami, a franchise that has David Beckham as co-owner, who remains in the last position of the Eastern Conference, with only 15 points in 17 games.
Among the 36,000 spectators who turned out to watch the match at Gillette Stadium, children and adults could already be seen wearing Messi’s shirt for the Argentina national team, with which the striker is concentrated in China for an Asian tour of two friendlies.
Inter’s defeat began to take shape when right-back DeAndre Yedlin committed a penalty in the 27th minute, converted by Spaniard Carles Gil.
American Matt Polster doubled up in the 34th minute, overcoming Miami’s defenders and heading in a corner kick.
The Revolution, fourth in the Eastern Conference (with 30 points), made it 3-0 in the 51st minute, when forward Bobby Wood dominated a long ball in the area, easily got rid of defender Christopher McVey and overcame the Miami goalkeeper.
Inter’s Argentine coach Javier Morales, who replaced the sacked Phil Neville earlier this month, has moved from the bench and fielded forwards Rodolfo Pizarro and Leonardo Campana.
The entrances of the Mexican and the Ecuadorian gave life to the attack of the Miami and, after several attempts of distance, Inter managed to close the difference with a penalty goal of the Venezuelan striker Josef Martínez in the 84th minute.
Inter, who had reached the semi-finals of the US Open Cup during the week, still have several games to play before they can count on Messi, who on Wednesday caused an earthquake in the football world when he announced his transfer to Miami after ending his passage through Paris Saint Germain.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) June 11, 2023
Check out the results of this Saturday’s MLS Round 18:
Atlanta United 3 x 1 DC United
Charlotte 3 x 3 Seattle Sounders
CF Montreal 4 x 0 Minnesota United
Toronto FC 1 x 1 Nashville SC
Orlando City 2 x 0 Colorado Rapids
Chicago Fire 1 x 2 Columbus Crew
Houston Dynamo 4 x 0 Los Angeles FC
Sporting Kansas City 4 x 1 Austin FC
Real Salt Lake 0 x 0 New York City
San Jose Earthquakes 2 x 1 Philadelphia Union
Vancouver Whitecaps 1 x 1 FC Cincinnati
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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