MLS: Inter Miami bounces back with quality win at New York City FC
- Ken Garner
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 24
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
MIAMI, FL — The Herons played some of their best soccer of the season in a come-from-behind 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium.
Whew. A 3-2 come-from-behind win at first-place New York City FC Sunday at Yankee Stadium can’t erase Inter Miami CF’s embarrassing Champions Cup ouster earlier in the week, but it can help Los Garzas refocus on the rest of their season.
“All that disappointment and sadness, we had to convert that into energy for what’s to come, and we had to respond, and I think we showed that kind of character today.” — Javier Mascherano
Managing owner Jorge Mas told the world in December, after Inter Miami won its first MLS title, that the Herons would prioritize winning CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2026. Instead, Nashville SC eliminated the Pink in the Round of 16 with 0-0 and 1-1 draws in Nashville and Miami, respectively, and advancing on CONCACAF’s away-goals tiebreaker.
Herons coach Javier Mascherano, who served a one-match red-card suspension for his behavior at the end of last weekend’s match at Charlotte, was pleased with how his squad responded to the disappointment.
“(The elimination) was a big blow for us…but we told the players, we can’t change that,” Mascherano said after Sunday’s match. “We can only change what’s ahead.
All that disappointment and sadness, we had to convert that into energy for what’s to come, and we had to respond, and I think we showed that kind of character today.
“All that disappointment and sadness, we had to convert that into energy for what’s to come, and we had to respond, and I think we showed that kind of character today, and we have to continue that same approach going forward.”
Assistant coach Leandro Stillitano coached the Herons in Mascherano’s absence.
Center backs Gonzalo Lujan and Micael dos Santos scored their first MLS goals in the fourth and 74th minutes, respectively, to help Miami improve to 3-1-1; the Herons are tied with the Pigeons (3-1-1) for second in the Eastern Conference with 10 points each. Nashville (4-0-1) leads the table with 13 points.
Lionel Messi scored his fifth goal in the 61st minute, tying the match at two. The captain came close three other times, hitting the post and crossbar and pulling another shot just wide.
Nicolas Fernandez Mercau (17th minute) and Agustin Ojeda (59th) scored for NYCFC.
The Herons — except those called for international duty — have two weeks off during FIFA’s March competition window to rest and regroup.
Inter Miami’s next match is scheduled to be played against Austin on April 4 at Los Garzas’ brand new, state-of-the-art facility, Nu Stadium.
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