New York Red Bulls suffered their biggest lost of 2025 with a 4-1 defeat to Inter Miami on Saturday night. The loss was punctuated by goals from star players Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi who reversed the team’s recent form and stopping a three game losing streak in all competition. For Red Bulls, it leaves them still winless on the road as they fall down the Eastern Conference standings.
In what is becoming an uncomfortable trend, New York started the game sluggish. Their passing was sloppy and Miami were able to pinpoint passes at the proper time. The scoring started in the ninth minute when an unforced error in a clearance found Marcelo Weigandt who connected with Suarez before the finishing touch by Fafa Picault. Red Bulls continued their sluggish play as Miami continued to step forward at key moments. They doubled the lead in the 30th minute when Weigandt converted another Red Bulls turnover.
Just nine minutes later the score was increased to 3-0 as Suarez scored his third goal of the season. His effort was deflected by a New York defender but fell to Uruguayan striker for a second chance that he didn’t miss. The away team’s only saving grace came just before halftime when a header from Mohammed Sofo gave the youngster his second goal of the season, keeping their hopes of a result in play going into the second half.
Red Bulls pressed forward in the second half, passing the ball better and forcing Miami into a defensive shell. While they dominated the possession stats, they were unable to find solid efforts on net. Omar Valencia had the team’s best effort, a shot from outside the box that wizzed past the home goalkeeper but didn’t force a save. Eventually, the fourth and final goal was scored by Messi who brought down a ball while also keeping the much larger defender, Noah Eile at bay. His shot rang past goalkeeper Carlos Coronel to put the final exclamation point on an impressive win.
Red Bulls fall into ninth place as they remain winless away from SI Stadium. The team will have to turnaround quickly as they switch competitions to play in the round of 32 of the US Open Cup against the USL’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Whether they can put the sting of tonight’s dominating loss will be answered quickly given the upcoming fixture congestion.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Duncan, S. Nealis, Eile, Valencia, Carballo, Stroud (63′ Donkor), Sofo (70′ Hall), Forsberg (76′ Edwards), Carmona (63′ Gjengaar), Choupo-Moting (76′ Bogacz)
Inter Miami: Ustari; Weigandt (58′ Falcon), Allen, Luian, Alba, Allende (46′ Segovia), Busquets, Bright (77′ Redondo), Picault (73′ Obanda), Suarez (58′ Cremaschi), Messi
SCORING SUMMARY:
9′ (Inter Miami) Fafa Picault (4) assisted by Luis Suarez & Marcelo Weigandt
30′ (Inter Miami) Marcelo Weigandt (1) unassisted
39′ (Inter Miami) Luis Suarez (3) unassisted
43′ (New York Red Bulls) Mohammed Sofo (2) assisted by Omar Valencia
67′ (Inter Miami) Lionel Messi (5) unassisted
DISCIPLINE:
14′ (Inter Miami) Yannick Bright – YELLOW CARD
52′ (New York Red Bulls) Peter Stroud – YELLOW CARD
75′ (New York Red Bulls) Sean Nealis – YELLOW CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau