FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Inter Miami was inches away from a victory without Lionel Messi.
Literally, inches.
David Ruiz’s right-footed shot in the 97th minute hit the top of the crossbar and bounced downward and away from the net in what could have been a goal that likely would have given Inter Miami the win and some much-needed help in the MLS playoff race.
Instead, Inter Miami’s postseason hopes remain fluid and uncertain – just like Messi’s playing status.
A header by Tomás Avilés three minutes before Ruiz’s miss tied the match, and Inter Miami finished with a 1-1 draw against New York City FC on Saturday night at DRV PNK Stadium.
What is Leo Messi’s status?
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino tried to dismiss the credibility of a news report saying Messi has a hamstring tear.
“We’re going to say this game after game: We’re going to evaluate him … but he’s feeling better and better,” Martino said of Messi through a translator postgame.
Messi sat pensively, wearing a pink shirt and a gold watch, behind the Inter Miami bench while missing his third straight game for the club, and fourth overall in September.
A lingering injury, the details murky and undisclosed, has kept Messi out of action and he’s considered day to day.
What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?
Inter Miami has two matches next week – the first in Chicago on Wednesday night. And fans should take anything the club says regarding Messi with a grain of salt if they haven’t purchased tickets just yet.
Inter Miami has begun to receive criticism for Messi’s layoff, understandably so with fans paying for expensive game tickets, travel arrangements, and merchandise during this recent stretch.
After the Chicago match, Inter Miami returns home for a match against FC Cincinnati at DRV PNK Stadium on Oct. 7.
Messi could join Argentina again for two World Cup qualifying games in mid-October.
Where does Inter Miami stand in MLS playoff race?
Inter Miami picked up one point with their draw, and has 33 points this season.
They remain four points shy of the ninth and final playoff spot, held by CF Montreal (37).
NYCFC, which is eighth with 38 points, was led by a goal from Santiago Rodriguez in the 77th minute.
Inter Miami vs. New York City FC highlights
David Ruiz crossbar shot: Inter Miami 1, NYCFC 1
David Ruiz’s shot hit the top of the crossbar and bounced down outside the line, and did not go into the net.
Inter Miami nearly had the game-winning shot.
So, close.
And this match will end in a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.
Tomás Avilés Goal: Inter Miami 1, NYCFC 1
With three minutes left in stoppage time, a header from Tomás Avilés winded up in the back of the net.
The Inter Miami crowd celebrated loudly as fireworks exploded and their side celebrated a breakthrough in the 95th minute of this match.
Santiago Rodríguez goal: NYCFC 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami’s chance to make the MLS postseason might be on the brink.
NYCFC’s Santiago Rodriguez received a pass from midfield, and turned the corner on two Inter Miami defenders, before striking a right kick past goalie Drake Callendar in the 77th minute.
NYCFC leads 1-0, and Inter Miami has until the 90-minute mark to salvage a point in this match.
Inter Miami players hilariously collide in fast break: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0
Inter Miami players Benjamin Cremaschi and Dixon Arroyo ran into each other in full sprint chasing down an opportunity at midfield in the 56th minute.
Arroyo kicked it away from the NYCFC player as the ball went right into Cremaschi’s stride.
But Arroyo’s momentum led him right to tripping Cremaschi after they passed midfield.
Both players fell to the pitch in what could’ve been a 3-on-1 opportunity that could’ve resulted in an Inter Miami goal.
Halftime: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0
Leo Messi, wearing a pink shirt and gold watch, is watching from behind the Inter Miami bench.
But it hasn’t been such an entertaining match for him or fans in the stands after an hour-long rain delay.
We’ve got a tied score after the first half, here at DRV PNK Stadium. And that does not bode well for Inter Miami’s hopes for the postseason.
Inter Miami needs a victory and three points to move up the MLS standings, and a draw or loss would be brutal for their prospects.
NYCFC’s Mounsef Bakrar has given Inter Miami some fits, with three of his attempts coming close, but not enough to affect the score in the first half.
The same can be said for Inter Miami’s best opportunity: Facundo Farias volleyed a free kick into Leo Campana in the box, but Campana was unable to get most of the ball on his kick.
8:10 p.m. ET: Inter Miami rain delay update
Inter Miami and NYCFC players came back onto the pitch at 8:10 p.m., despite a steady rain still falling, to warm up after their weather delay.
Play could begin at 8:32 p.m., Inter Miami announced on social media.
Fans have also begun to re-enter the stands again.
Inter Miami-NYCFC under rain delay
While players from both sides were on the pitch for pregame warmups, a weather delay was instituted that has interrupted the start of tonight’s match.
Thunder and lightning, which wasn’t present during warmups, appeared shortly before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
With news of Leo Messi out, the rain is just more bad news for Inter Miami on Saturday night.
How to watch Messi’s match today vs. New York City FC?
The Inter Miami-New York City FC match at 7:30 p.m. ET is available to stream on Apple TV.
Inter Miami lineup
What has Inter Miami said about Messi?
Messi wanted to play in Inter Miami’s 2-1 loss to Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final last Wednesday.
But the club ultimately decided against Messi playing to preserve his health.
“We are taking it day-by-day,” Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Morales told reporters on Friday, according to the Miami Herald.
“We were trying up until the last moment to see if he could play some minutes in the (U.S. Open Cup) final but he couldn’t do it. At this point, it’s communication with the medical staff and, most important, with him to see how he’s feeling. He is going to train (Friday) and test it out and we will see if he’s available for Saturday, which is what we all want.”
More from Inter Miami’s assistant coach:
“Muscle injuries are tricky because you can think you’re fine, and then you play a game or go through training and you end up worse,” Morales said.
“We knew it was a final, Leo wanted to play, we all wanted that, but he didn’t feel 100 percent. You don’t want to make an injury worse, and instead of missing one game have to miss a month. The idea is to have him healthy as long as possible.”
Messi did come out to the pitch for Inter Miami’s practice Friday toward the end of the portion of training available to the media.
What is Jordi Alba’s injury?
Jordi Alba, a former Barcelona FC standout like Messi, has also been sidelined due to injury.
Although previously undisclosed, Morales said Alba is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Alba will not play for Inter Miami against New York City FC.
“Jordi’s is a different situation, it’s a little longer than Leo,” Morales said. “It’s a hamstring injury. He’ll definitely be out for this weekend.”
Where does Inter Miami stand in MLS playoff race?
Inter Miami is 14th of 15 teams, trailing NYCFC for the ninth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by five points with two games in hand.
Miami has 32 points, while NYCFC has 37.
What is Inter Miami’s remaining 2023 schedule?
The rest of Inter Miami’s matches and the rest of MLS are available to watch via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
