Lionel Messi scores as DC United lose to Inter Miami
DC United dropped their match against Inter Miami 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami, while Tai Baribo helped keep it close for the Black-and-Red.
The sellout crowd of over 72,026 made M&T Bank Stadium into a busy ball of energy. After a foggy, dreary afternoon, the sun came out just in time for kickoff between the defending champions Inter Miami and a DC United team trying to make Baltimore their home away from home.
It was also the first time Lionel Messi had played against DC United in the DMV since he arrived in MLS in July 2023. After signing with the team just after the two teams met in 2023, Messi did not travel to DC due to injury for both the games in 2024 and 2025. His appearance generated a ton of excitement from the fans in attendance, with DC United doing its best to get the fans on their side.
Inter Miami was successful at making the match a wide open affair in the first 20 minutes. Miami’s first opportunity came in the eighth minute, when Rodrigo De Paul was able to get a shot near the top of the circle outside of the penalty area. The shot was easily collected by Sean Johnson.
In the 16th minute, DC United saw its first great chance. Jackson Hopkins got some open space in the middle of the field to gather the ball and make a break. He fired a shot from just outside the box, but Dayne St. Clair was able to make the save.
Just a half minute later, Inter Miami struck. Germán Berterame was able to force a turnover on Lucas Bartlett very deep in DC’s defensive half. Berterame passed the ball to Telasco Segovia in the middle of the box, who passed it to the right side of the box, where Rodrigo De Paul awaited. De Paul took a second to collect the ball and fired a shot into the left side of the net to make it 1-0 to Miami.
DC United wanted to try and equalize, but Miami did a great job of limiting their ability to string together multiple passes. Meanwhile, the match was wide open for Miami to attack.
Ten minutes after the opening goal, the man many in the large crowd came to see got his goal. It didn’t take much open space for it to happen, but Inter Miami had the ball on the left flank, with Noah Allen finding Mateo Silvetti. Silvetti made a terrific pass to Lionel Messi, who was able to tap it over a diving Sean Johnson to make it 2-0. It was Messi’s third goal of the season.
In the 37th minute, DC United had a great scoring opportunity that almost turned into yet another Messi goal. Inter Miami had a turnover in their defensive half, and Gabriel Pirani was able to take the ball and move inside the penalty area with a couple of dribbles. However, before he could get a shot, Yannick Bright made a miraculous tackle from behind, saving the goal opportunity and keeping it 2-0.
Miami moved quickly down the field, and the ball ended up on Messi’s foot once again. Moving with the ball laterally outside the box, he was able to force Brandon Servania to hesitate on the tackle, freeing him up to take a curling shot across goal. The shot curled inches wide of the net.
Inter Miami was able to open the field up through turnovers and quick counters, and the halftime score was 2-0.
DC United was able to take some chances in the second half, particularly in the first 20 minutes. In the 60th minute, Jackson Hopkins was able to find some space to take a long shot from the right side of the box. The shot was deflected by Noah Allen out for a corner kick. On the ensuing corner kick, Lucas Bartlett’s header was blocked by Maximiliano Falcón, keeping DC off the scoreboard.
A few minutes later, substitute Louis Munteanu had a highlight reel chance. On a long cross into the box, Jackson Hopkins was able to save the ball from going over the end line, sending the ball in the air towards Munteanu. Munteanu attempted a bicycle kick that arced just inches wide of the net.
The second half saw DC United show more urgency. They were able to move the ball forward and put some pressure on Miami’s defense. In the 75th minute, DC was finally able to pull a goal back. On the turnover, Matti Peltola was able to deflect the ball to João Peglow. Peglow passed to Jackson Hopkins just inside the box, who fired a shot that was saved by St. Clair. Tai Baribo crashed the net and was able to put the rebound away to cut Inter Miami’s lead to 1. VAR quickly checked and confirmed that Baribo was onside on the rebound, and the goal stood, Baribo’s second on the season.
The goal gave DC United new life and 15 minutes to try and find the equalizer. Miami had another opportunity in the 78th minute where they appealed for a penalty, but the tackle from DC was clean and play continued.
As stoppage time begun, Miami had one final chance. Berterame had a close range shot that Sean Johnson made a great save on to keep the score 2-1. Berterame had yet another chance that skied over the bar, keeping DC with life.
DC continued to press forward and try desperately to get the goal that would bring things level. Despite a flurry in the final minutes, DC United couldn’t get the equalizer and the referee’s whistle brought the match to a close.
DC United drops to 1W-2L-0D on the season, their second straight loss. They look to rebound next weekend on the road against the Chicago Fire.
Minutes 1-15: both sides feeling each other out.
Minutes 15-60: Miami figured out they’re better than us, and bossed us all over the field.
Minutes 60-90: In part, Miami took their foot off the gas and allowed us to come back into it. But, in part, we also played better, straight up. 90 minutes like this would have given us a draw. But of course we didn’t actually do it for 90, so, yeah.
While his time all came in that softer portion of the game, I was <very> impressed with Markovic. If this was representative of his average performance level right now (big if, of course), then he should be replacing Servania in the starting lineup very shortly. He did not play like a rookie center back moved forward into defensive midfield due to lack of options. Rather, he was mobile, positioned himself well, partnered solidly with Peltola, actually showed a tendency to pass progressively and with MLS midfield level technique, and took a communicative leadership role. I think he was a big part of the reason we looked better in the last half hour. Small sample size theater and all that, but, yes, more please.
From 30,000 feet, none of the late-game positives will matter if the second forward position continues to flounder well into the season. We saw bad Pirani today in spades, too slow of thought and too single minded when he did think. And yet, as Talonesque keeps reminding us, the $7M guy is sitting behind the reasonable likelihood of bad Pirani in the pecking order. This was better from Louis than against Philly, but even if that bicycle kick had gone in, it would still have been a bright spot standing out against a background of meh.
Fine stadium, nice fan experience, if they did this again I wouldn’t be up in arms about it, though I really don’t want to add the extra travel time on any kind of regular (e.g. annual) basis.
Markovic had good vibes as a draft pick, but I think this guy is truly a baller
Real skills in this training video.
https://youtube.com/shorts/yJrLTHHq4SI?feature=shared
Wait its still possible to find value in the draft?
Markovic really did change the game. I still feel like he’s just too big a little awkward for center mid, but he’s the best option there now. I wish we had better options at CB. Bartlett and Rowles aren’t cutting it. I’d kinda like to see Markovic as a CB marauding into the attack on occasion.
It’s good that you can still find talent picking at #1, just incase we repeat the Wooden Spoon.
Anyway… The first goal is on Bartlett, but I think Hefti was at fault on hte second. The play was unfolding right in front of me, as Silvetti was wide open on the wing, asking for the ball. Hefti needed to get much tighter. Once Silvetti started moving with the ball, he had Hefti at his mercy.
I don’t know what to say about Pirani. In general, I’d say the team is just too slow and un-athletic. Peglow stands out as an exception, but the rest of the side moves at a glacial (before climate change) pace.
DC never scored 3 goals in a league match all last year. Will they be able to do it at all this year? Two goals through three games so far.
No. It’s that simple.
I didn’t expect DCU to win, so not disappointed. Still lacking in offense. Just like last year. Now I am worried that Louis is not adapting to his new team and league, because he is still a sub. Not what I want from a DP. They need that second attacker. At least he took a shot. Good second half by DCU. They had a great turnout in Baltimore, so maybe it was an ok idea. The stadium looked filled.
They didn’t get blown out. That is an improvement.
It was a sell-out. And there weren’t many empty seats. I’m sure it cost a lot to rent the stadium, and there were so many more workers there passing out DCU stuff, and at entertainment tables, etc., so this was definitely a pricey adventure for the team, but given the ticket prices, and the sellout, I’m sure they made out OK. Expect a repeat if Messi or someone of similar stature (essentially Ronaldo, or maybe Neymar if he makes the Brazil team, and Brazil makes the final) plays DCU sometime in 2027 (2 seasons!!) or 2028. And, there will be a new stadium in 2030, allegedly, for much lower profile matches — and maybe there will be some big new star in MLS after the 2030 Cup, but by then the Commanders will have a stadium, so it will be a toss-up where to play high demand match.
MLS made it clear (see the clips here in this article). Miami is the golden calf, worship it. DC has never seen Messi, nor will it. If the club needs the financials so as to play in another city so be it, so cynical. Pink and albaceleste ruled the stadium. This was yet another toxic adventure in the misery that was once a proud club that would have given Miami a beating in 1997.
Respectfully disagree, no player will ever outdraw Messi. It’s just a simple fact. Leviathan.