Photo: Burt Granofsky
New England Revolution 1-4 Inter Miami
FOXBOROUGH, MA–Inter Miami conceded a goal inside the first minute but managed to secure their third win in a row as Lionel Messi continues to show his class.
The mercurial Messi was at it again on Saturday night as he scored two and assisted another against the New England Revolution. But Miami didn’t have it all their way.
A frantic opening ten minutes saw Miami concede possession cheaply in their own half, only to be punished in the harshest possible way.
The New England Revolution had been hit with a flu virus before the game and were without five first-team players. Despite the side’s weakened team, they took the lead after a defensive mistake by Miami.
As Inter looked to play out from the back a loose pass from Nicolas Friere was intercepted by Carles Gil and his lofted pass found the run of striker Tomas Chancalay.
With Drake Calender caught in no man’s land, Chancalay deftly chipped the onrushing keeper to open the scoring.
The early goal sparked a frantic opening ten minutes without either side creating any more real openings. New England were being cheered on by a huge crowd and after scoring early there was a party atmosphere. But as the game settled, Miami started to control the game and find some rhythm.
That said, New England remained a constant threat on the break and the match remained in the balance.
For all their possession Miami failed to create any goal-scoring chances and it took until the half-hour mark before Messi got his first sight of goal. A ball over the top aiming for the Argentine’s run was well-defended by New England and the chance was snuffed out.
Moments later Messi got another chance, and the outcome was quite different. As Miami probed for a crack in the New England defense a fortunate ricochet fell to Miami and they fed Messi and Miami’s number ten made it look easy to draw his side level.
It was a goal their endeavors deserved but they still lacked the polish that we have seen in recent weeks, and it was an untidy performance.
The second half started as chaotic as the first with both teams creating some half chances without really threatening the opposition.
Emmanuel Boateng was a constant threat down the flanks but New England looked like a side that had suffered from illness and Miami weathered the storm and slowly started to dictate play.
A mistake near the hour mark saw Messi have a run at the defenders who held their ground well and stopped the striker from unleashing his feared left foot.
Inter worked most of their play through Sergio Busquets, who is like the metronome of this team. Even when he gets caught in possession the midfielder somehow manages to win a free kick and get out of trouble.
And it was the Spaniard who unlocked the door in the sixty-eight minute when his slide rule pass found the run of Messi. One touch to control it and another to beat Henrich Ravas and secure his second goal of the game and give Inter the lead, a lead that they would not give up.
New England continued to try and find the equalizer and at times made the Miami defense work, but as they looked to equalize the inevitable happened and Miami extended their lead.
Some great work down the left by Matias Rojas and he finds Messi who’s shot is well saved by Ravas but the ball falls to the feet of Benjamin Cremaschi and he scores into an empty net and essentially end the game as a contest.
Substitute Luis Suarez added the icing on the cake late in the game when a neat passing move ends with the ball at the feet of Suarez and his delightful chip made it four.
It was a little flattering for Inter Miami who were never really comfortable against a New England side that never stopped, despite trailing.
However, Miami won’t care as they continue their good form and sit at the top of the table.
For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, please click the link to his gallery.
