Lionel Messi (two assists), Inter Miami draw with NYCFC

Telasco Segovia scored in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time in his MLS debut and Lionel Messi had two assists as 10-man Inter Miami salvaged a 2-2 draw against visiting New York City FC in both teams' MLS opener.

Tomas Aviles opened the scoring for the defending Supporters' Shield champions in the fifth minute but was then sent off 18 minutes later for denying Alonso Martinez an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

Mitja Ilenic pulled NYCFC even from the ensuing restart, and Martinez gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute when he capitalized on Jordi Alba's rare errant pass.

Segovia -- a 21-year-old Venezuelan who joined Miami this offseason after parts of two games in Portugal's Primeira Liga -- entered for Luis Suarez in the 59th minute.

Miami pressured throughout the second half for an equalizer. Matt Freese saved Messi's 72nd-minute free kick, and Federico Redondo fired wide on an excellent chance in the 80th minute.

But referee Alexis Da SIlva added a minimum of 11 minutes of second-half extra time on account of injury attention given to Freese and a couple video review checks.

Segovia helped create his chance when he took a pass from his own half of midfield with his back to the goal, immediately found Messi to his left then took off on an aggressive vertical run. Messi returned the ball into the path of Segovia, who coolly chipped the oncoming Freese.

Messi and Alba each assisted Aviles' 5th-minute opener. But Aviles' night turned when he got caught in an awkward spot and pulled back Martinez alone on goal from behind.

City then scored, with Maxi Moralez electing to pass the free kick to Ilenic on the right side of the penalty area, where he slid a low finish past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and inside the far post.

The visitors had the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Alba tried to play a square pass and instead found Martinez in a prime attacking position. Martinez finished easily for his first goal of the season after knocking in 16 in the 2024 league campaign.

--Field Level Media