HARRISON, NJ – Less than three days have elapsed since the thrilling come-from-behind encouter with New England to keep their home dominace alive for another game. Now, the world’s best player comes to town to dazzle his legion of admirers at the Red Bulls’ expense.
Right from kickoff, the Red Bulls deployed their high press to bother the Inter Miami defense as they uncharacteristically turned the ball over in thier half. And in the 15th minute after earning a corner kick, the Red Bulls’ efforts were rewarded as Alexander Hack scored on a set-piece by lifiting his foot, putting the ball past Rocco Rios Novo and in the back of the net.
But the lead would not last very long. Lionel Messi and Luis Surez deftly touch-passed the ball to an wide open Jordi Alba and he slammed the ball past Coronel to even the match in the 24th minute. And just three minutes later, Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi connected with Telasco Segovia to take back the lead from the hosts.
Julain Hall was able to win a freekick just as the first half began to end, but Emil Forsberg’s chance went wide to his right, hitting the net.
Then, three minutes into stoppage time, the Red Bulls defesive calamities was in full display as they had a hard time clearing the ball from their end allowing it to bouce around loose in the box before Telasco Segovia pounced on it and scored his second goal of the match.
As the whistle sounded ended the first 45 minutes, it would be the visitors that turned the match around on its head after giving up the initial goal. For the Red Bulls, they would have to once again dig deep to restore order before the home fans, many of them feeling aprehensive of their chances.
After the start of the second half was delayed by an intruder that entered the field, Julian Hall took a great pass from Forsberg and darted into the box, but he missed a huge opportunity to pull his team back within a goal as he pulled his shot wide to his right.
In the 55th minute, Raheem Edwards trying to spark some offense for the Red Bulls was able to evade a Miami defender and was able to get the ball over to Erick Maxim Choup-Moting, but his header missed the net completely, drawing angushed groans from the home supporters.
But any hopes of a come-from-behind victory was quickly put to rest in the 60th minute as Sergio Busquets earned his second assist of the night by picking up Lionel Messi on a break and he effortlessly danced around a helpless Carlos Coronel to put the visitors up by three goals.
And the man they called “The Goat” was not done, for in the 75th minute he dazzled his ardent fans by taking a beautiful pass from Luis Suárez and fired his shot past Carlos Coronel from the center of the box to pad the lead to four goals, and taking the lead in the Golden Boot race.
The loss was a hard one to swallow after having a great start before falling to pieces in 85 agonizing minutes. Sandro Schwarz and his team must find a way to get their heads straighten out for the rest of the season if they want to have any chances of defending their Eastern Conference title.
Starting XI:
Inter Miami CF: Rocco Rios Novo, Jordi Alba (26′)(Santiago Morales 85′), Gonzalo Luján (Tomas Avilés 75′), Marcelo Weigandt (45+6′), Telasco Segovia (27′)(Yannick Bright 74′), Sergio Busquets (Fafà Picault 85′), Federico Redondo, Tadeo Allende (Benjamin Cremaschi 65′), Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi (60′)
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Noah Eile, Sean Nealis, Alexander Hack, Raheem Edwards (Dylan Nealis, 90+2’), Daniel Edelman (Peter Stroud 74′), Ronald Donkor (Wiki Carmona, 56’), Mohammed Sofo (Wiktor Bogacz 74′), Emil Forsberg, Julian Hall (Dennis Gjengaar, 57’), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Scoring Summary:
15′ | New York Red Bulls – Alexander Hack, assisted by Emil Forsberg
24′ | Inter Miami CF – Jordi Alba, assisted by Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi
27′ | Inter Miami CF – Telasco Segovia, assisted by Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi
45+3′ | Inter Miami CF – Telasco Segovia, assited Federico Redondo
60′ | Inter Miami CF – Lionel Messi, assisted by Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba
75′ | Inter Miami CF – Lionel Messi, assisted by Luis Suárez
Disciplinary Summary:
11′ | Inter Miami CF – Telasco Segovia – Yellow card
29′ | Inter Miami CF – Maximiliano Falcón – Yellow card
34′ | New York Red Bulls – Ronald Donkor – Yellow card
45+6′ | Inter Miami CF – Marcelo Weigandt – Yellow card
54′ | New York Red Bulls – Raheem Edwards – Yellow card