Messi goal, assist pushes Inter Miami to first win at Nu Stadium
It was a day Inter Miami fans had been waiting on for more than a month. After four matches in their new stadium, Inter Miami celebrated its first win at Nu Stadium on Sunday, May 17, with a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi powering a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers.
Messi scored the opening goal just after the half-hour mark, starting a move with a pass to Luis Suarez, then getting the ball near the penalty spot and finishing with his left foot.
More: Lionel Messi is MLS' highest-paid player. See who else made the top 25.
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In the 42nd minute, Messi set up Mexico international German Berterame for a shot from short range, laying off a tricky pass after playing a one-two with Suarez and drawing in a number of Timbers defenders with his run in the box.
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On many nights, Messi would've added a second by nearly putting a stoppage-time free kick over the wall. But a stunning save by Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis denied the Argentine a 13th goal of the season. Messi's tally instead remains 12 goals and six assists this season.
The win snaps a frustrating streak for Inter Miami that saw it settle for draws in the first three matches at the new venue and collapse in a rivalry game against Orlando City, conceding four unanswered in a 4-3 defeat.
Why did some Inter Miami fans protest Messi and Co?
The match did not have some of the vibrancy of previous games at Nu Stadium until late in the contest, with a number of supporters' groups reportedly protesting star players not applauding their sections or interacting after those disappointing home results.
The Southern Legion group posted an Instagram video from the match showing fans singing in Spanish, asking players to show their face after the game to the fans.
