Inter Miami’s Winning Streak Ends in 2-0 Loss to New York Red Bulls
Inter Miami’s three-match winning run is over after a 2-0 defeat away to New York Red Bulls, with Lionel Messi unable to change the result after arriving as a second-half substitute.
Miami fall despite Messi’s late involvement
Messi was held back from the starting side following a demanding trip to Spain. He travelled to Oviedo on Thursday and collected the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports the following day before returning for MLS duty.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner entered in the 56th minute, but Miami were already behind after an early own goal. Casemiro, formerly of Real Madrid and Manchester United, diverted Cade Cowell’s delivery into his own net in the seventh minute while being pressured by teenage US forward Julian Hall.
Messi came into the match as the league’s leading scorer on 25 goals this season, yet his arrival could not produce a Miami equaliser.
Red Bulls hold firm and seal the points
Miami improved after Messi’s introduction and he created their clearest opening with a precise pass through the defence. The move ended with Telasco Segovia hitting the crossbar.
That miss proved costly. As the visitors committed bodies forward in the closing stages, Cameron Harper set up Emil Forsberg for a straightforward finish that made the final outcome secure.
- Casemiro’s own goal put New York ahead inside seven minutes.
- Messi replaced a team-mate 11 minutes after half-time.
- Segovia struck the bar in Miami’s best chance to level the match.
- Forsberg scored late to complete the 2-0 win.
Streak ends as playoff race tightens
The result also stopped Messi’s sequence of 13 successive club and international appearances with either a goal or an assist.
Miami stay second before the remainder of the weekend fixtures, although Nashville have already secured the Supporters’ Shield and sit 15 points clear.
For the Red Bulls, the victory moves them into a playoff place with only three regular-season matches still to play.
