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Messi's Bay Area Return Ends in a Wild Draw
Lionel Messi's first game back in the Bay Area since joining MLS was anything but quiet. A thrilling 3-3 draw between Inter Miami and the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night left fans breathless, and Messi himself, quite frustrated.
A Rollercoaster Match
The game exploded into life almost immediately. Maximiliano Falcon scored for Miami a mere 35 seconds in, a header off a Jordi Alba cross. But San Jose answered back just two minutes later, Cristian Arango capitalizing on a defensive lapse to equalize. It was a blistering start, marking only the fifth time in MLS history that both teams scored within the first three minutes.
- Fast-paced Action: The back-and-forth continued throughout the first half. Beau Leroux put San Jose ahead, only for Tadeo Allende to equalize for Miami. A late first-half goal by Ian Harkes, assisted by Leroux, sent the Earthquakes into halftime with a 3-2 lead.
The second half was just as intense. Allende scored his second goal in the 52nd minute, tapping in a clever pass from substitute Baltasar RodrĂguez, a play brilliantly set up by Messi. While Messi had a few chances himself, including a late shot saved by goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Britto, it wasn't enough to secure a win for Miami.
- Messi's Frustration: The game ended with Messi's frustration boiling over. After a late challenge outside the box went uncalled, he vehemently argued with the referee, Joe Dickerson, earning himself a yellow card. San Jose coach Bruce Arena intervened, preventing a potential red card for the superstar.
“He was obviously not happy,” Arena said after the match. “I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to get a red card…it would have been ridiculous.”
Defensive Woes Plague Miami
Inter Miami’s defensive frailties were on full display. They’ve conceded at least three goals in three of their last four games, a serious concern for a team with championship aspirations. The match highlighted the team's struggles under new manager Javier Mascherano, who admitted his team is making too many mistakes.
- Goalkeeper Concerns: Miami’s veteran goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, had a particularly rough night, his poor pass directly leading to San Jose’s early equalizer. His declining form is a growing concern for the club.
- Messi's Quiet Performance: While Messi himself created chances and had moments of brilliance, his overall impact was arguably overshadowed by the team's overall defensive instability. While this match was less of Messi's impact and more of the team's overall poor play.
Mascherano acknowledged the team needs significant improvement, particularly defensively: “We cannot concede the goals that we conceded today. It’s impossible if we want to fight for important things.”
A Sellout Crowd and a Tense Finale
Despite the on-field drama, Messi’s presence drew a sellout crowd of 18,000 to PayPal Park. Fans lined up hours before kickoff, turning the game into a major event. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by a pre-game block party and the excitement surrounding Messi’s visit.
Conclusion: A Point, but Pressing Issues Remain
The 3-3 draw highlights a significant divide. While the game was a thrilling spectacle for neutral fans, it underscores Inter Miami's defensive vulnerabilities. While a point on the road is better than a loss, Miami needs to address their defensive woes quickly, especially before the upcoming Club World Cup. Messi's frustration reflects the team's struggles, and until they solve their defensive issues, their championship hopes may be in jeopardy.
