Dave Hyde: Grand stadium opening, Messi scores — everything but a win for Inter Miami | Photos
MIAMI — Everything about a stadium opening is a show, and so in the blur of Inter Miami’s Saturday night, speeches came, music blared, fireworks exploded, Marc Anthony sang a spectacular national anthem and part-owner David Beckham hugged a lot of people at journey’s end. Meanwhile, the only star whose show wasn’t choreographed waited. Lionel Messi’s name was already in lights on a stadium so unfinished that a permit to play Saturday’s game against Austin FC was just acquired Friday.
“Leo Messi Stand,” was a priority. It was finished and polished, a midfield section of seats bookended by his No. 10.
And so when Messi came flying through the middle of the penalty box early in the game and headed in a tying goal against Austin it meant a good night was on the way to being complete. That’s the moment this stadium really needed to open, Messi’s seal of approval. The happiest beginning was offered, too.
Luis Suarez, who scored in the 82nd minute, took the rebound of Messi’s free kick in the 90th minute and scored the would-be winning goal. But it was waved off for offsides and the night ended 2-2. “We could’ve been better,’’ coach Javier Mascherano said.
Thus began Inter Miami moving to Miami after five years in Fort Lauderdale. Sort of. The team still trains in Fort Lauderdale, meaning its facilities and most players’ homes remain in Broward and Palm Beach.
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