Fans that traveled to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, on Monday for a preseason fixture between Inter Miami and FC Dallas likely went to the game to see Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The only goal they would see was from Jesús Ferreira assisted by Paul Arriola.
A night that was advertised with some of the world’s biggest names was beautifully stolen by two USMNT players. Incredible.
In the third minute of play Arriola and Ferreira silenced any Miami fans in attendance and gave the Dallas faithful a priceless moment.
WHAT. A. START.
Jesus Ferreira gives @FCDallas the early lead over Miami. pic.twitter.com/Pm2FjIBIZD— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 22, 2024
Messi and Suarez had two big chances to equalize in the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net like they did so many times together at Barcelona.
Maarten Paes denies Messi. pic.twitter.com/6uz8GdS3ND— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 22, 2024
Messi and Suarez almost connect to score. pic.twitter.com/tNeeve370P
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 22, 2024
Messi, Suarez and Busquets were substituted at the 64-minute mark and FC Dallas hung on to secure the victory.
Inter Miami’s highly anticipated preseason games are off to a dreadfully slow start. Messi, Suarez and the Herons have played two games and failed to score in both. Their first match was against El Salvador’s national team on Friday which ended 0-0.
The Herons will need to work out the kinks of their toothless attack soon. The next phase of their preseason is a pair of friendly games in Saudi Arabia against top of the league Al Hilal and then a showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
It’s important to remember that the Saudi teams are in the middle of their season and completely fit. Messi and company are still in preseason mode. Those games in Saudi Arabia could get ugly.
The travel won’t stop there as the Herons’ world tour will have a stop in Hong Kong and Japan before wrapping up in Miami.
Inter Miami preseason schedule
- Jan. 29: Al Hilal
- Feb. 1: Al Nassr
- Feb. 4: Hong Kong All Stars
- Feb. 7: Vissel Kobe
- Feb. 15: Newell’s Old Boys
FC Dallas’ preseason will feature far less travel as they will head to Spain for two preseason games against Danish clubs Odense Boldklub and AaB Fodbold.
