Video: Tomas Aviles gets red card after being assisted by Messi in first MLS goal for Inter Miami vs. NYC FC
Inter Miami‘s MLS season opener against New York City FC was full of drama, with several twists in the first half alone. After scoring the Herons’ first goal from a brilliant assist by Lionel Messi, center-back Tomas Aviles was shown a red card following a late tackle.
Just five minutes into the match, Inter Miami took the lead when Messi and Jordi Alba played a perfect one-two, setting up Messi to deliver a precise ball to Aviles, who simply had to tap it in.
However, things quickly took a turn in the 22nd minute. As NYC FC’s Alonso Martinez found himself in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, Aviles tugged the forward’s shirt from behind, earning a red card from referee Rosendo Mendoza shortly after opening the scoring.
The foul proved costly, as NYC FC equalized just minutes later. A well-executed set-piece led to Maximiliano Moralez sending a pinpoint pass to Mitja Ilenič, who finished clinically to level the score.
In response to the numerical disadvantage in defense, coach Javier Mascherano decided to substitute midfielder David Ruiz for center-back Ian Fray to solidify the backline and hold the result for the rest of the game.
Messi’s second assist sets up Segovia’s equalizer
Inter Miami was on the brink of a 2-1 defeat, playing with one fewer player for most of the match. However, Messi once again proved the difference, helping the Herons level the score in the 90+10 minutes.
After drawing the attention of three defenders with a brilliant run, Messi delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Telasco Segovia. The Venezuelan winger finished with a clinical strike over the goalkeeper, making it 2-2.
Picault and Weigandt, out due to injuries
Fafa Picault, a free agent signing from Vancouver Whitecaps, was one of the new faces for Inter Miami in the 2025 MLS season. The Haitian forward had impressed in preseason matches, including the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Sporting Kansas City. However, his MLS debut took a turn for the worse.
Just 10 minutes into the match, Picault fell to the ground, appearing to suffer a muscle injury. He was replaced by Robert Taylor, leaving Inter Miami down one attacking option early in the game.
Later in the match, Marcelo Weigandt was seen showing discomfort in his left leg. To avoid using another substitution window, he held off until the end of the first half. At the start of the second half, Weigandt was substituted for Federico Redondo, marking another muscular injury for Inter Miami.