By Sergio Silva
Sep 21, 2024, 8:08 PM EDT
Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi At the top, they were very close to taking a victory in their visit to New York City FC (1-1) in a match in which the locals ended up finding themselves in the last play with the goal that allowed the points to be shared.
A defensive lapse by Gerardo Martino’s team on a corner kick taken by Santiago Rodríguez in the fifth minute of added time ended up becoming the final 1-1 after a header by James Sand.
Las Garzas had taken the lead through Ecuadorian forward Leonardo Campana (m.75). The South American, who had entered just three minutes earlier, received a pass from Spanish defender Jordi Alba to make it 0-1.
On his first visit to the Big Apple, Lionel Messi was left wanting more. However, the Argentine star played a key role in his team’s goal by moving the ball past several NYFC players and passing it to Alba.
Campana’s goal allows the Ecuadorian player to continue increasing his record as the all-time top scorer in the Inter Miaminow with 31 goals. Messi is close behind with 27 goals in just under two seasons with the MLS club.
The draw against New York FC does not affect Inter Miami’s lead in the Eastern Conference this season in the North American championship, where they have 19 wins, seven draws and four losses after 30 games played.
“Tata” Martino’s team, which has already secured its presence in the postseason for several dates, maintains a nine-point advantage over its closest pursuer, Cincinnati FC, which could be six points behind if it wins its match this weekend against Nashville.
Inter Miami is having a great season, with Lionel Messi fully recovering from the physical problems that kept him out for the last two months. The Argentine star is getting more and more fit to compete in the playoffs that start on October 26.
New York City, meanwhile, remains in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, the last spot that offers a direct place in the postseason. The team from the Big Apple has 41 points, tied with Charlotte and four ahead of Toronto.
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