Messi’s Inter Miami Draws Against New England Revolution, Berterame Secures Late Equalizer
German Berterame scored his third goal of the season in the later stages, helping Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami salvage a 1-1 draw against the visiting New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Messi failed to score in consecutive games for the first time this season, and the Herons tied their third straight match at Nu Stadium since opening their new permanent facility earlier this month.
Miami (5-1-4, 19 points) also dropped its first points in three games under interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, but still extended its unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions, having lost only its season opener at Los Angeles FC 3-0 on February 21.
Carles Gil scored his second goal of the season earlier in the second half for New England (5-3-1, 16 points), which saw its four-match win streak come to an end.
Matt Turner made nine saves for the Revolution, continuing to make his case for inclusion on the U.S. World Cup squad.
Berterame began his tenure in Miami slowly after his offseason move from Mexico’s CF Monterrey for a reported $15 million transfer fee, but now boasts a goal or assist in five consecutive matches after leveling the score in the 76th minute.
On the equalizer, Rodrigo De Paul’s pass found substitute Luis Suarez near the right corner of the 6-yard box, and Suarez forced Turner into a sprawling save with his first-time effort.
Berterame was there for a simple rebound finish into an open net.
Tadeo Allende thought he’d given Miami the lead in the 52nd minute when he ran onto De Paul’s pass and finished past Matt Turner. However, Allende was ruled offside on the play, and while replays suggested he may have been even with the last defender when De Paul played the ball, the sequence was not reviewed.
Gil gave New England the lead four minutes later following a long throw-in from the right. Dor Turgeman used his body to shield defender Maxi Falcon and brought down the throw-in with his chest before leaving it for Gil, who made a slicing run into the area to break through Miami’s defense and lofted a clever chip over lunging goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.