Inter Miami’s pursuit of Major League Soccer’s single-season points record hit a roadblock on Saturday as New York City FC snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw in the dying moments of injury time.
Despite being assured of a playoff berth, Miami appeared poised to secure their 20th victory of the season when Lionel Messi assisted Ecuadorian international Leonardo Campana’s 75th-minute goal at Yankee Stadium. However, with victory seemingly within reach, New York defender James Sands rose above the Miami defense to meet a Santiago Rodriguez corner in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, sending a thunderous header past goalkeeper Drake Callender.
The result dents Miami’s hopes of surpassing New England’s all-time single-season points tally of 73 set in 2021. The draw leaves Miami with 64 points from 30 games, meaning Gerardo Martino’s team must earn nine points from their remaining 12 matches to equal the Revolution’s record or 10 points to break it.
Despite the late equalizer, Miami could have few complaints after New York deservedly earned a point from the early fixture. The hosts squandered several chances to take the lead, with Messi narrowly missing with a free-kick in the fourth minute and Rodriguez’s free-kick rattling off the post in the 11th minute.
Keaton Parks missed a golden opportunity to put New York ahead in the 47th minute, firing wide with the goal at his mercy. Miami capitalized on New York’s profligacy 15 minutes from time when Messi found Jordi Alba in space, who squared the ball for Campana to tap in from close range.
That goal seemed to have sealed the victory, but New York’s late pressure paid off when Rodriguez’s pinpoint corner allowed Sands to head home the equalizer.
