Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano praised his team’s resilience and fighting spirit following their 2-2 draw with New York City FC in their 2025 MLS season opener. Despite being reduced to 10 men after a red card and dealing with several injuries, Mascherano highlighted the “soul” and “heart” that his players showed throughout the match, which ultimately helped them earn a hard-fought point.
Early Goal, Red Card, and Injuries Disrupt Miami’s Momentum Against NYCFC in Season Opener
Miami’s season began on a positive note with Tomás Avilés scoring in the fifth minute from a Lionel Messi assist. However, their momentum was quickly interrupted as Fafà Picault, a new signing, suffered an injury early in the match and had to be substituted. Soon after, Avilés was shown a straight red card for a foul on NYCFC’s Alonso Martínez, which left Miami to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
With the advantage of an extra player, NYCFC capitalized, scoring twice. Mitja Ilenic netted a goal shortly before halftime, and Martínez added a second early in the second half. Despite being down a player and dealing with additional injury issues, including one to Marcelo Weigandt, Inter Miami struggled to regain control but continued to press forward under Mascherano’s tactical adjustments.
Messi’s Leadership and Team Resilience Drive Miami’s Late Equalizer Despite Challenging Conditions
In the final moments of the match, Messi’s leadership and skill came to the forefront. The Argentine superstar once again provided a key assist, setting up Telasco Segovia’s equalizer in the 10th minute of stoppage time. Mascherano emphasized Messi’s importance, both for his on-field performances and his ability to inspire and motivate his teammates. He described Messi as the “soul” of the team, with his relentless effort and contributions in both attack and defense.
Mascherano also addressed the challenges faced by the team, particularly the tight schedule and the physical toll of playing in extreme conditions. Miami had just played against Sporting Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions Cup, a match that was held in freezing temperatures. Mascherano revealed that Inter Miami had requested the NYCFC match be moved to Sunday for better recovery but were denied. Despite the obstacles, he reaffirmed that with Messi’s leadership, the team would continue to fight and improve. The team now looks ahead to their next match, against Sporting Kansas City, on February 25.
