Lionel Messi assisted one goal and played a pivotal role in another as Inter Miami braved a second-half surge from Real Salt Lake to clinch a 2-0 victory in the inaugural match of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
Miami asserted dominance during the initial half in Fort Lauderdale. Their breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute when Messi sliced through the defense, setting up Robert Taylor whose close-range strike initially appeared to be parried by Zac MacMath, only to ultimately squirm into the net.
Following a tentative first half, Salt Lake emerged revitalized after the interval, intensifying pressure on a Miami outfit that spent the offseason competing in matches across Asia and the Middle East.
With goalkeeper Drake Callender delivering crucial saves, Miami weathered the storm and secured the triumph when Messi collaborated with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez to tee up Diego Gomez for a 2-0 lead in the 83rd minute.
The goal ignited celebrations at the newly-renamed Chase Stadium as the 29th MLS season commenced with a victory for Messi’s contingent.
Messi’s arrival midway through last July had already made waves, guiding Miami to a Leagues Cup triumph. However, his magic wasn’t enough to steer the club through the early season challenges to reach the playoffs.
Co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, Miami bolstered its squad in the offseason with the additions of 37-year-old Uruguayan striker Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, making them frontrunners for their maiden MLS Cup.
Next up, Miami will journey to face Beckham’s former team, the LA Galaxy, on Sunday in Carson, California.
