April 19, (THEWILL) — Inter Miami began the Guillermo Hoyos era with a 3-2 victory over Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, powered by a Lionel Messi brace despite finishing the match with 10 men.
The visitors took control in the first half, with Messi rolling a penalty down the middle in the 18th minute after Josh Atencio fouled Yannick Bright inside the area, the foul stemming from Bright intercepting Zack Steffen’s wayward pass. German Berterame doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, muscling Kosi Thompson aside before powering a header from Mateo Silvetti’s hanging cross beyond Steffen.
Colorado, celebrating their 30th anniversary before 75,000 supporters at Empower Field at Mile High, launched a second-half fightback. Rafael Navarro reduced the deficit in the 58th minute with a stunning solo goal, carrying the ball from the halfway line through the Miami backline before finishing past Dayne St. Clair. Substitute Darren Yapi then equalised four minutes later, sliding home after Lucas Herrington’s incisive pass, and at that point the Rapids looked the more threatening side.
Messi, however, had the decisive say, dribbling into the area before bending a trademark finish into the top-left corner in the 79th minute. Bright was subsequently dismissed for directing abusive language at officials, yet Miami’s 10 men held on to move into second place in the Eastern Conference.
The result hands Hoyos an encouraging start following Javier Mascherano’s unexpected resignation, with Miami’s depth and individual quality proving sufficient to weather a spirited Colorado comeback.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
