2023 MLS Regular Season: Inter Miami 2-0 New York Red Bulls
Lionel Messi scored off the bench while the South Florida side won via shutout in its return to MLS action
Lionel Messi may have only played a half-hour on Saturday night, but that did not stop him from scoring once again in another Inter Miami victory.
Messi and Inter Miami started their push towards the playoffs by blanking the New York Red Bulls, 2-0, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Diego Gomez authored the winner in the opening stanza with his first goal for the South Florida side while Messi came off the bench at the hour-mark to add a late insurance tally in his MLS debut.
The shutout win gave Inter Miami its first three points in league play since May 6, and improved La Rosanegra to 6-3-14 on the season. Eleven points now separate Inter Miami from the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Tata Martino’s men will face another quick turnaround before their next match, as Inter Miami hosts Nashville SC at Drv Pnk Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Wednesday.
Inter Miami: Diego Gomez (Noah Allen) 37’
Inter Miami: Lionel Messi (Benjamin Cremaschi) 89’