Diego Gomez and Robert Taylor stole the show for Inter Miami as Lionel Messi and co. began their 2024 MLS campaign with a victory.
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Inter Miami defeats Real Salt Lake 2-0Messi & Suarez scorelessDiego Gomez and Robert Taylor on scoresheetWatch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowGettyTELL ME MORE
Robert Taylor opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 39th minute after they had dominated much of the first half. Minutes before the Finnish international's goal, Messi nearly scored a worldie of a free-kick, with it just being cleared off the line.
Going into halftime up a goal, the Herons played confidently the rest of the match. However, RSL came out with fire in their eyes after the break and arguably could have scored three or four times. Their lack of clinical finishing is what cost them on Wednesday evening.
In the 83rd minute, a moment of magic saw Messi and old friend Luis Suarez combine to set up youngster Diego Gomez for the dagger, making it 2-0 on the night.
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This was the first time since August 2020 that former Barcelona teammates Messi, Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets shared a locker room together for a competitive match.
USA Today Sports THE MVP
Robert Taylor: The winger has been rumored to be available on a transfer this offseason, and Wednesday proved why, if Miami does not want him, another MLS side should pounce immediately. His goal came via a goalkeeper error, sure, but the moment was about being in the right place and the right time – and he did exactly that. He's earned himself another start on Sunday against the Galaxy.
THE BIG LOSER
Pablo Mastroeni: The RSL boss has long been the subject of criticism, from both fans and pundits and even the casual viewers. His side always seem to sneak into the playoffs and produce an impressive result or two, but the way his club played Wednesday is why that criticism exists. They were dry and stagnant, their entire team was sluggish and their performance was not up standard. However, there were moments that were so incredibly bright – but those moments came from individuals, not tactics or formations. This result is, unfortunately, on Pablo.