A late goal from James Sands salvaged a 1-1 draw in one of NYCFC’s biggest game of the year against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The stoppage time header, did more than keep City in the race for fourth place but also helped them from losing two in a row at home during a pivotal week.
The first half saw both teams playing to their strengths. City moved the ball out of the back field with speed, bypassing Miami’s older legs. To their credit, Miami used their savvy to create their own opportunities by drawing fouls in dangerous areas. Still, City were seen to have had the better play in the first half despite few chances.
The second half saw City take more control of the game, frustrating Miami and forcing them into more a more aggressive style of play. Four yellow cards were dealt out just after the 60th minute with the worst of it coming to Jordi Alba who shoved City captain Thiago Martins from behind, narrowly staying on the field.
While City certainly seemed poised to grab the first goal sooner, it was actually Miami who opened the scoring in the 75th minute. Leo Campana converted an effort in front of goal with both Alba and Messi providing the assist. From there Miami looked to freeze the game but the home team and crowd didn’t let the score stand. It was in the 95th minute that a header from James Sands equalized, sending the 44 thousand in attendance into a frenzy and making sure that City took at least one point from the homestand.
The point didn’t come without a heavy cost. Both Strahinja Tanasijevic and Santiago Rodriguez will miss the Hudson River Derby with yellow card accumulation. At 41 points, the draw sees City still in need of wins with just five games remaining on the calendar. Next week’s Hudson River Derby will be one of the bigger games for them on the 2024 calendar.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Gray (81′ Ilenic), Martins, Tanasijevic, O’Toole (88′ McFarlane),Parks (81′ Perea), Sands, Wolf (88′ Fernandez), Moralez, Rodriguez, Martinez (81′ Bakrar)
Inter Miami: Callender; Fray, Aviles, Allen (90′ Kryvtsov), Gressel (81′ Cremaschi), Redondo, Bright, Alba, Messi, Suarez, Taylor (72′ Campana)
SCORING SUMMARY:
75′ (Inter Miami) Leo Campana (7) assisted by Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi
90′ (NYCFC) James Sands (1) assisted by Santiago Rodriguez
DISCIPLINE:
27′ (NYCFC) Strahinja Tanasijievic – YELLOW CARD
35′ (Inter Miami) Ian Fray – YELLOW CARD
63′ (Inter Miami) Jordi Alba – YELLOW CARD
64′ (Inter Miami) Luis Aviles – YELLOW CARD
66′ (Inter Miami) Noah Allen – YELLOW CARD
68′ (Inter Miami) Luis Suarez – YELLOW CARD
71′ (NYCFC) Santiago Rodriguez – YELLOW CARD
80′ (NYCFC) Keaton Parks – YELLOW CARD
86′ (NYCFC) Maxi Moralez – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jordan Bank