Lionel Messi, Inter Miami settle for frustrating draw in MLS season opener vs. NYCFC

Javier Mascherano may be figuring out how big his work is after Inter Miami attracted their MLS-Sizens opener to New York City FC 2-2 on Saturday. Jubilation of Lionel Messi’s assisting to Tomas Aviles faded for five minutes when the young defender picked up a red card less than 20 minutes later, leaving Miami with only 10 players for the rest of the game. The herons would then allow two goals before they could also pick up a major injury for their thin selection. New signing Telasco Segovia gave some hope deep in the stopping time with a Golazo chip up close, but it would not be enough to win a victory.

Fafa Picault left the game with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Robert Taylor, but it was not enough for Miami to cancel the collision, even though Messi did his best. NYCFC keeper Matt Freese was forced into strong saves during the competition, but with reports that arise that Miami wants to move Julian Gressel, it is clear that this team is not complete.

The defense was a problem last season and the growth is expected from Aviles with him who started his second season, but his youth still showed a reckless red card. Although it will not affect his availability for Miami’s Midweek Concacaf Champions Cup match with Sporting Kansas City, Mascherano has a few things to think about.

Drake Callender, Hector Martinez and Yannick Bright were already injured in the season and the new signing Maximiliano Falcon still has to make his debut in the defense. If Falcon cannot add enough to bring this team defensive above the average, then Messi must surpass his MVP numbers for Miami to meet expectations.

The herons are expected to win every competition in which they participate and compete in the club World Cup, and although that may be unrealistic expectations, it happens when Messi is in the team. Miami will have to go from Messi and some boys to a coherent team and they are not there yet. Segovia’s goal shows that it could happen earlier than later, but when the herons are in three games, time is not on their side.