Inter Miami once again were unable to seal out a win on the road with Lionel Messi and company drawing 1-1 with New York City FC away from home.
A 95th-minute James Sands equalizer saw the points shared as Inter Miami manager Tata Martino was left angry with how the referee failed to pick out a foul on Yannick Bright moments before New York City’s goal went in.
With Inter Miami still in a commanding leading of the Supporters’ Shield chase, though, the Herons will be pleased that their unbeaten record remains in one piece and that zero injuries occurred to the likes of Messi whilst on the road.
Yet MLS legend Sacha Kljestan loved what New York City fans did to Messi and Inter Miami before the game.
New York City FC fans praised for hostile Inter Miami and Messi welcome
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, the pundit enjoyed the hostile reception New York City fans gave Inter Miami and Messi heading to Yankee Stadium, with supporters surrounding the bus and intimidating the Herons in a scene that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Europe or South America.
Whilst some neutral MLS supporters weren’t too keen on the scenes, many fans enjoyed what they saw, including league legend Kljestan, who said about the moment: “I love that the New York fans were giving Messi a real New York welcome.”
With MLS fan groups trying to tap into worldwide soccer culture, what Messi and company experienced yesterday is something the Argentine would be familiar with after 20 years of playing at the highest level in Europe and internationally.
And with Inter Miami only getting a point from the game, the tactic seemingly worked, with Messi enduring a difficult game at Yankee Stadium, with Luis Suarez also not at his best in the Big Apple.
Messi will be excited to return to Florida next weekend
With four regular season games to go, Messi with have two more opportunities to boost up his numbers with games against Charlotte FC and the New England Revolution at Chase Stadium, a ground the 37-year-old is already thriving at.
Indeed, Messi struggled on the road with Atlanta United and New York giving the reigning Ballon d’Or holder a reception that the forward would have experienced in hostile grounds during his times with PSG and FC Barcelona.
And with Inter Miami back in Florida next weekend, Messi will be eager to get his form back up to scratch with Charlotte next up for the Herons, a game that the Argentine can make a real statement in.