Lionel Messi scored a last-minute equalizer in stoppage time as Inter Miami escaped with a 1-1 draw on the Los Angeles Galaxy in Main League Soccer on Sunday.
The Galaxy dominated for lengthy stretches of the match and had taken the lead within the seventy fifth minute via Serbian striker Dejan Joveljic.
However the residence facet ended the sport with ten males after midfielder Mark Delgado was despatched off for a second yellow card within the 87th minute.
Jordi Alba then mixed with Messi on the left, with the Spaniard delivering an excellent cutback into the trail of Messi, who, at full power, discovered the goal with the skin of his left foot.
It was a uncommon second of impression from Messi, who had been largely ineffective within the match as Miami, with seven starters over 30, struggled in opposition to the Galaxy's tempo.
Miami had all 4 former Barcelona stars within the beginning line-up with Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez alongside Messi.
Nevertheless it was the Galaxy's former Barcelona participant, 24-year-old Spaniard Riqui Puig, who was the dominant participant on the pitch, particularly within the first half because the California facet had a collection of possibilities.
Assured on the ball and astute in his passing, Puig dictated the play, however he ought to have put the house facet forward from the penalty spot within the thirteenth minute.
The vigorous Joseph Paintsil, a latest signing from Genk, Belgium, was introduced down by Busquets within the penalty space, however Puig's low free-kick was nicely saved by Drake Callender.
The Miami keeper then produced high-quality saves to maintain out makes an attempt from Paintsil and Puig and other than a deflected Messi try that was parried by Galaxy keeper John McCarthy, Miami created little.
Busquets and Suarez primarily appeared to go off the tempo and with their restricted contributions, Messi was given little area or service.
– Pink card drama –
Issues improved after the break as Miami received right into a extra attacking form, however McCarthy did nicely to maintain out two good makes an attempt from Gomez and deal with a routine shot from distance from Messi.
The Galaxy lastly received their reward when Paintsil burst onto Miami's creaking backline, Puig's shot was parried by Callender and Delgado headed straight for Joveljic who tapped residence.
After Delgado's dismissal, Alba discovered Messi whose first shot went simply huge, an effort that turned out to be a gown rehearsal for the equalizer.
“We have been outplayed within the first half, we might have gone into the dressing room with a aim behind,” stated Inter head coach Gerardo Martino.
“They scored on a counter-attack however after that we confirmed character,” he added.
Miami has 4 factors after successful Wednesday's season opener in opposition to Actual Salt Lake 2-0.
Earlier, former Canada coach John Herdman made a optimistic begin to his new position as head coach of Main League Soccer's Toronto FC with a well-deserved 0-0 draw at FC Cincinnati.
Toronto completed final within the 29-team MLS final season with simply 4 wins all yr, whereas Cincinnati gained the Supporters Protect for the crew with one of the best regular-season document.
However there was little to decide on between Herdman's new-look Toronto crew and a Cincinnati facet that misplaced their centre-forward Brandon Vazquez, who was offered to Mexican facet Monterrey.
Irish defender Kevin Lengthy, signed from Birmingham Metropolis, made a strong debut within the heart of defence, whereas one other Honduran debutant Deiby Flores put in a powerful efficiency because the midfield anchor.
The woodwork denied New York Pink Bulls a successful begin for brand spanking new German coach Sandro Schwarz as they have been held to a goalless attract Nashville.
The previous Mainz and Hertha Berlin coach made his debut forward of Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg, introduced in from sister membership RB Leipzig, and he got here near opening the scoring, with a long-range effort crashing off the crossbar.
Moments earlier, Frankie Amaya hit the woodwork with a high-quality shot from outdoors the field, however Pink Bulls had goalkeeper Carlos Coronel to thank for his or her level after he denied Tyler Boyd within the closing moments.
