German Berterame scored his third goal of the season in the later stages and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami salvaged 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 Feb. 21.
Carles Gil scored his second goal of the season earlier in the second half for New England (5-3-1, 16 points), which had a four-match win streak snapped.
Matt Turner made nine saves for the Revolution as he continues to make his case for inclusion on the U.S. World Cup squad.
Berterame began life in Miami slowly after his offseason move from Mexico’s CF Monterrey for a reported $15 million transfer fee, but now has a goal or assist in five consecutive matches after pulling Miami level 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.
But 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 take the throw-in down with his chest.
He then left it for Gil, who made a slicing run into the area to break through Miami’s defense and then lofted a clever chip over lunging goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
–Field Level Media
