IN THE MLS SEASON OPENER, MESSI AND INTER MIAMI DEFEATED REAL SALT LAKE 2-0.

In the opening game of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, Inter Miami defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 despite a second-half storm led by Lionel Messi, who also assisted Robert Taylor’s goal in the first half.

The 29th Major League Soccer season kicked off at adium. | Image Credit: AP

In the opening game of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, Inter Miami defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 despite a second-half storm led by Lionel Messi, who also assisted Robert Taylor’s goal in the first half.
In Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami dominated the first half before breaking through in the 39th minute when the Argentine great’s defense gave way just beyond the box.

After splitting the defence, Messi found a sprinting Taylor, whose low effort appeared to have been saved by Zac MacMath until it whizzed past him and into the net.

Salt Lake, who had appeared hesitant in the first half, came out firing after the break against the more experienced Miami team, which had played games in Asia and the Middle East during their hectic MLS off-season.

Drake Steven Callender’s crucial saves helped Inter Miami weather the storm in the second half, and Messi’s set-up of a sequence in which former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez helped rookie Diego Gomez in the 83rd minute clinched the victory.

The first match of the 29th Major League Soccer season took place at the recently renamed Chase Stadium.