Miami 2-2 América (January 18, 2025) Game Analysis

On January 19, 2025By Littum

Inter Miami CF started their preseason with a 2-2 draw against Club America in regular time on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, before winning in penalty kicks (3-2).

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made his managerial debut after being appointed to the role on 26 November 2024, ushering in a new chapter for the club. The Herons lined up in a 4-4-2 for the first time under the helm Barcelona figure, with star players Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez upstairs.

After retaining most of the possession, Club America opened the scoring in the 31st minute of the match with a goal from Henry Martin. But the Liga MX giants failed to hold on to the early lead for long as Messi found a way to link up with Suarez inside the box before heading the ball into the net.

The Uruguay the striker, who signed a new contract with Inter Miami to stay through the 2025 MLS season, sent the ball to Messi for the perfect header.

Inter Miami managed to keep the game at 1-1 well into the second half, but Israel Reyes and Club America proved stronger. A series of defensive errors from the center back pair of Tomas “Toto” Aviles and Noah Allen left Reyes with the ball inside the box, inspiring the player to slide the ball past new Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo.

The Herons were able to find the equalizer again, this time with a header from defender Aviles following a corner kick from Julian Gressel in the final minutes of the match to send the match to penalty kicks.

Club America now returns to Mexico City to resume the Liga MX tournament, while Inter Miami embarks on the South and Central American leg of its 2025 preseason tour. The Herons will face Universitario at the Estadio Monumental “U” in Peru on January 29 before traveling to Panama to play Sporting San Miguelito.