Substitute Luis Suarez scored his first goal of the season in the 82nd minute, following Lionel Messi’s fifth goal, helping Inter Miami secure a 2-2 draw against Austin FC in their new stadium on Saturday night.
The two goals allowed Miami (3-1-2, 11 points) to recover after falling behind at the 26,700-seat Nu Stadium, located just west of downtown Miami, which replaces their former home at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Austin’s Guiherme Biro netted the first goal at the new venue early in the first half, and Jayden Nelson briefly restored the visitors’ lead early in the second half.
This marked the first time Austin (1-2-3, 6 points) scored multiple goals since their season opener against Minnesota.
However, a well-executed corner kick led to Suarez equalizing just nine minutes after he came on. Mateo Silvetti delivered the inswinging service to the near post, where German Berterame flicked it on to the far post, allowing Suarez to volley in from close range.
Once the game was tied late, Miami appeared more likely to win. Suarez thought he’d scored the winner on a rebound, but it was called offside. Then, in stoppage time, Austin’s Brad Stuver saved Messi’s low shot.
A rare mistake by Messi led to Austin’s second goal in the 53rd minute. Joseph Rosales intercepted the ball, moved forward, and passed to Myrto Uzuni on the left flank. Uzuni then sent a clever diagonal pass to Nelson, who found the net off the inside of the left post.
Austin took the lead early with a sixth-minute corner. Facundo Torres’s outswinging delivery was misjudged by Miami’s Tadeo Allende, allowing Biro to score with a low header.
Messi quickly equalized four minutes later, connecting with a header after Ian Fray’s cross, sending the ball into the top-right corner.