New York City FC Goals: Fernández Mercau 17’, Ojeda 59’Â
Inter Miami CF Goals:  Luján 4', Messi 61’, Micael 74’Â
Quick Read
New York City FC suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Inter Miami CF on Sunday. The hosts took an early lead through Gonzalo Lujan before a brilliant free kick from Nicolás Fernández Mercau tied the game. AgustÃn Ojeda put New York City ahead just before the hour mark, only for Lionel Messi to equalize minutes later. Defender Micael put the visitors ahead for the second time on the day with a goal that proved to be the matchwinner.
Match Recap
A visit from Inter Miami CF was next on the agenda for New York City FC on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
The hosts boasted an unbeaten start to the campaign, with Miami keen to jump from third to first with a victory.
Head Coach Pascal Jansen named an unchanged side from the one that beat Colorado Rapids 3-1 last time out.
Unfortunately, New York City FC endured the worst possible start when Miami took the lead with their first attack of note.
Arriving via a corner, a deflected effort landed at the feet of Gonzalo Lujan, and his snapshot into the bottom corner left Matt Freese with no chance.
Freese was called into action minutes later when Messi pounced on a loose ball and attempted to curl an effort into the bottom corner—only a strong hand from New York City’s shot-stopper keeping the score at 1-0.
As the contest began to settle into a rhythm, New York City worked their way into the game. They were then handed a great opportunity to draw level from a set piece. Nicolás Fernández Mercau assumed responsibility and delivered a delightful effort that crashed against the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
In response, Miami looked to move the ball quickly in the final third, starting with Messi. His pass out wide eventually saw the ball crossed to Telasco Segovia, but his effort was blocked by Kai Trewin.
Messi then came within inches of finding the net after driving in from the right and curling a bouncing shot that struck the post.
The frenetic pace returned to the game, and Maxi Moralez tested Dayne St. Clair with a shot from just inside the area after a driving run from midfield.
Next it was the turn of Messi to get a shot off, and once again he struck the woodwork in the 41st minute. This time, it was the crossbar that denied the World Cup winner.
The second half saw no changes for either side, but Miami had an early look at goal through Matteo Silvetti that went wide, before Hannes Wolf had an effort blocked for New York City FC.
The hosts would take the lead just before the hour mark after a brilliant move from back to front, instigated by good work from Kevin O’Toole. He drove forward before dinking the ball onto Moralez, who himself produced a wonderful through ball for AgustÃn Ojeda to run onto.
The winger settled himself before calmly slotting the ball past St. Clair to put his side 2-1 ahead.
Unfortunately, that lead would last just minutes, as Messi drew his side level from a free kick that took a wicked deflection to wrongfoot Freese.
The end-to-end nature of things showed no signs of slowing down, and that meant Fernández Mercau was next to test St. Clair with a low shot that he turned behind for a corner.
In the 74th minute, the contest swung back in Miami’s favor when Noah Allen’s cross was headed home by Micael at the back post.
Jansen turned to his bench for the first time four minutes later and introduced Jonathan Shore in place of Keaton Parks.
Miami thought they had a fourth when two of their substitutes, Daniel Pinter and Germán Berterame, combined for the latter to score—only for the offside flag to deny the visitors.
A second New York City FC change saw Wolf replaced by Talles Magno in the 82nd minute. He was joined on the pitch by Drew Baiera and Seymour Reid in the 86th minute, with the pair replacing Tayvon Gray and Ojeda.
The home side almost secured an equalizer in the 89th minute after a delightful exchange of passes between Talles Magno and Fernández Mercau. The Brazilian was able to get a shot off but was denied by a last-ditch block.
Late in stoppage time, Aiden O’Neill got free at the back post from a corner and powered a header at goal that St. Clair did well to parry behind for another corner.
Unfortunately, that would be New York City’s last chance of note and forced them to accept a first defeat of the season by a 3-2 scoreline.
How We Lined Up
What's NextÂ
Next up for New York City FC is a game against St. Louis City SC on Saturday, April 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30PM ET.
