Inter Miami CF, the team co-owned by soccer legend David Beckham, kicked off the 2024 Major League Soccer season with a convincing 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Thursday night. The game, which was streamed exclusively on Apple TV+ MLS Season Pass, featured the debut of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in January after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi assists Taylor’s opener
Inter Miami dominated the first half at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and created several chances to score. Messi, who wore the number 10 jersey, showed his class and creativity with his passing and dribbling skills. He also tested Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath with a couple of shots from distance.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute, when Messi split the defense with a brilliant through ball to find Robert Taylor, who had made a run behind the backline. Taylor’s low shot looked like it had been saved by MacMath, but the ball spun out of his arms and crossed the line. It was Taylor’s first goal for Inter Miami, and Messi’s first assist in the MLS.
Real Salt Lake fights back in the second half
Real Salt Lake, which had looked tentative and nervous in the first half, came out with more energy and urgency in the second half. The visitors pressed higher up the pitch and tried to disrupt Inter Miami’s rhythm. They also created some chances of their own, but were denied by some excellent saves by Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Steven Callender.
Callender, who was making his first MLS start, showed his reflexes and composure with a series of stops. He denied Damir Kreilach’s header from close range in the 54th minute, and then tipped over a powerful shot by Anderson Julio in the 63rd minute. He also kept out a curling free kick by Albert Rusnak in the 76th minute, and a low drive by Bobby Wood in the 80th minute.
Gomez seals the win with a late goal
Inter Miami weathered the storm and sealed the win with a second goal in the 83rd minute. Messi was involved again, as he played a one-two with Luis Suarez, his former Barcelona teammate, who had come on as a substitute. Suarez then squared the ball to Diego Gomez, who had also come off the bench, and the young midfielder slotted it into the bottom corner. It was Gomez’s first MLS goal, and Suarez’s first MLS assist.
The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Inter Miami players and fans, who had witnessed a historic night for the club. Inter Miami had started its MLS season with a win for the first time, and had also seen Messi make his debut in style. The Argentine maestro had a hand in both goals, and was named the man of the match.
What’s next for both teams?
Inter Miami will look to build on this win when they face New York City FC on Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Yankee Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Real Salt Lake will try to bounce back when they host LA Galaxy on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Rio Tinto Stadium. The game will be streamed on Apple TV+ MLS Season Pass at 9:00 p.m. ET.
