Messi’s goal, assist lead Inter Miami to 2-0 win

MIAMI (AP):

Lionel Messi had a goal and assisted on another as Inter Miami won their first game at Nu Stadium, 2-0 over the Portland Timbers yesterday.

German Berterame also scored for Inter Miami, who have had three draws and a loss at their  new 26,000-seat stadium before yesterday's victory.

Messi opened the scoring with his 13th goal of the season in the 31st minute. Luis Suárez sent a pass inside to Telasco Segovia, who flicked a pass on to Messi, who beat Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis from 12 yards.

Inter Miami padded the lead on Berterame’s goal in the 42nd minute. Messi dribbled past two defenders and centred to Berterame, who converted inside the left post.

The Timbers had the first scoring threat when Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair deflected Cole Bassett’s shot from the edge of the large area in the 11th minute.

The familiar singing, cheering, flag waving and drum beating from Inter Miami’s organised supporters’ groups ‘La Familia’ were absent until late in the match. The groups reportedly are upset that the players have not acknowledged their presence in the new stadium and remained silent as a form of protest before they began singing in the 85th minute.

The match was the first between the teams since Portland coach Phil Neville was fired as Inter Miami’s coach in 2023, shortly before Messi started playing for the Herons.

Neville is a close friend of Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and told reporters after the Timbers got to South Florida late last week, he was aware that Messi choosing Miami would likely mean a coaching change. The club has had four coaches since, including two interim bosses, all of them from Messi’s native Argentina.

“At the start of the (2023) season, I was under no illusions that probably when/if he came in, that I wouldn’t be here, and that’s totally fine,” Neville said, referring to Messi. “I understand football.”

Yesterday was also the first Inter Miami match since the team revealed that forward Tadeo Allende had what was described as successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee “to address the discomfort he had been experiencing in recent weeks”. There’s no timetable for his return.