Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both grabbed an assist each to propel Inter Miami to a 2-0 triumph over Real Salt Lake in the first game of the 2024 MLS season at Chase Stadium.
The most anticpated MLS opening fixture of all time was rather anticlimactic, with neither team doing particularly well going forward in the early going.
A foul from RSL’s Pablo Ruiz set up Lionel Messi for a direct free kick in a favorable position outside of the visitors’ penalty area, in which the 36-year-old came so close to scoring from distance but Justen Glad denied him with a headed clearance off the goal line.
Many thought it was going to be Messi or Luis Suarez to score the first goal of the new season. But instead, it was Finland international Robert Taylor who latched on to Messi’s excellent through ball to send a strike at goal that RSL’s Zac MacMath really should’ve done better with.
MacMath pulled off several incredible saves earlier in the first half, but he let in the one he was really expected to keep out. Nonetheless, the hosts were 1-0 up and took the narrow lead into halftime.
Miami were a bit sloppy in possession to start the second half, and they were fortunate that the likes of Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango and Pablo Ruiz were still rusty as they weren’t able to put away any of their favorable chances.
The Herons finished off RSL with a quick counter-attacking sequence that saw Paraguay youth international Diego Gomez find the back of the net after a slick layoff from Suarez, putting Miami up 2-0 with a comfortable advantage.
Miami held on for a 2-0 victory to open up the new season and will now prepare for a Sunday night clash out west with LA Galaxy, while RSL return to action on Saturday against St Louis CITY.
GK: Drake Callender – 6/10 – Wasn’t called to action much but nearly gifted RSL a goal by whiffing terribly on a clearance.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin – 6/10 – Strong at the back but limited going forward.
CB: Tomas Aviles – 7.5/10 – Stepped in to make a crucial interception in the opening minutes, and prevented Arango from getting a shot off in the second 45.
CB: Serhiy Kryvstov – 7/10 – Didn’t put a foot wrong at the back for the Herons.
LB: Jordi Alba – 7/10 – Made several effective overlapping runs that were paired with dangerous crosses fired into Salt Lake’s penalty area.
CM: Julian Gressel – 6/10 – Was average on the ball but got into good positions when the Herons were in…
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