MIAMI (AP) — Inter Miami finally played a match in its namesake city Saturday night, drawing 2-2 with Austin FC after more than six years of playing in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami Freedom Park, a complex still under construction, required temporary approvals from city officials just to allow Saturday’s match to take place.
The stadium has a capacity of 26,700. A public golf course near Miami International Airport was leveled to make room for the stadium, and tons of construction equipment — from cranes to hard hats and everything in between — remain scattered across the site.
The resulting aesthetic shortcomings didn’t stop some fans from spending more than $1,000 on the resale market for prime seats Saturday, in Inter Miami’s first “home” game since winning the MLS championship last season.
By the time Messi took to the field for warm-ups, most of the seats were already filled. Beckham and the rest of the Inter Miami ownership group had come out to applaud the fans moments earlier, even mingling with some in the most fervent supporters’ section behind one of the goals.
It was quite an event, with pink light sticks waving in the stands and music icon Marc Anthony performing the national anthem.
For the record, Messi didn’t score the first goal in the stadium. That distinction went to Austin defender Guilherme Biro.
Messi headed in the opening goal in the 10th minute. Suárez volleyed home in the 82nd minute, and the defending MLS champions drew to remain undefeated in their last five MLS matches.
The Herons never held the lead. Austin opened the scoring with a goal from Brazilian Biro in the 6th minute. The visitors took a 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute with a goal from speedy substitute Jayden Nelson.
Inter Miami squandered several chances to snatch the victory in the final minutes. Suárez thought he had scored in the 90th minute after a Messi free kick, but the play was ruled offside. And Messi had an opportunity about three minutes later from inside the box, but Brad Stuver dove to his left to make a save that preserved the draw.
