By Wendy Pintor
The L.A. Galaxy were five minutes away from beating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
But it was enough time for the world’s greatest player to make his mark in Los Angeles.
Messi scored in the 92nd minute of the match to save Inter Miami, resulting in a 1-1 tie against the Galaxy on Sunday night, at the Sports Dignity Stadium to wrap the opening weekend of the 2024 MLS season.
“The atmosphere was full as like a championship match tonight.” Said Coach Greg Vanney “ I wish games were like this every night, the league is still growing and bigger players like tonight make the game better.” Tonight was two competitive teams who really wanted to win from the get-go, Miami with Lionel Messi and LA with their known record.
Although Riqui Puig has not been able to finish penalty kicks, Vanney said he’ll have a private talk with him on that but as of now the team is an example of where they want to be for the reminding of the season. “The potential the team showed from last year was exciting for the team and there’s no way the majority of the team will repeat last year’s trajectory.”
The Galaxy finally found a deserved goal in the 75th minute when Puig’s shot from the top of the area at the end of yet another swift counter attack that was then saved to the feet of Mark Delgado, who squared a pass to Joveljic to finish into an open net. “ the fans gave us a lot of great energy on our first goal, I was very pleased, it’s a great league, I love it because it benefits my qualities and for the team to work together.” Said debuted player Joseph Painstll “ We are disappointed but the hope is not gone, we were a bit down with the red card but the team is still very skillful and we just need the time to move forward.”
Messi and Inter Miami were frustrated for 90 minutes, and on the brink of their first loss in the second match of the season. “What he said to me, I will keep it forever with me, I knew I had to stay calm because it was too soon in the game, the entire week and up until I walked out it was a chilling moment and I just tried to stay composed and maintain a winning mentality, the object was to win, although I was defending one of the greatest players in the world it was a beautiful experience but what he said to me i will keep to myself .” Said young player Edwin Cerrillo who remained empowered through the entire game with his teammates.
Messi and his longtime friend and Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba continued to work, trading passes back and forth until Messi scored with a left boot inside the goal area to tie the match two minutes into extra time.
LA TEAM STATS MIAMI
24 Shots 11
9 Shots on target 5
36% Possession 64%
318 Passes 567
83% Pass accuracy 87%
14 Fouls 18
0 Yellow cards 3
1 Red cards 0
0 Offsides 3
3 Corners 6
Overall the team performance was really well, many good moments from the back line to the atmosphere. “ the back speaks Japanese, one side Italian the other Spanish the team is very international, todays game, todays atmosphere was one of the bests we want to give the fans a good season this year and not repeat last years mistakes .”