Inter Miami CF conceded a goal early in the second half to fall behind 2-1 and two more late on, falling to New York Red Bulls 4-1 in the team’s first home game against an opponent outside the Southeast.
Mandela Egbo scored first for Red Bulls, converting a penalty kick earned by Jared Stroud after being fouled rather carelessly by Blaise Matuidi.
Miami responded in the 39th, with Matías Pellegrini recovering a ball off a Red Bulls giveaway and passing to Juan Agudelo. Agudelo finished for his 50th Major League Soccer goal.
‼️Make that 50 @MLS goals for @JuanAgudelo‼️ pic.twitter.com/S45pyf2HBP
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 24, 2020
The game got away from Miami in the second half, however, with a New York goal from Brian White in the 49th minute to take the lead. Then, with Inter sending more men forward to find an equalizer, the Red Bulls got two goals off of outnumbered counterattacks from Ben Mines (85′) and Danny Royer (90+’) to seal three points.
Once again a sluggish Miami attack was sparked by substitutions, as Rodolfo Pizarro and Robbie Robinson entered in the 57th minute. Brek Shea, Robinson, and Lewis Morgan produced the best chances, but neither led to a goal. Morgan, incidentally, played much of the second half as a wing back, covering for the usual starter Andres Reyes, who was suspended on yellow card accumulation.
Gonzalo Higuain, Inter Miami’s prized third DP signing, was in the stands watching his new team for the first time. Higuain is awaiting work credential resolution before being able to suit up. It is unclear whether he will be cleared for Saturday’s match.
It was New York’s highest goal total in a single game all season, and was the first time Inter Miami had lost a match by more than one goal.
Miami’s next match will come on Saturday against Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast on My33 locally and UniMas nationally.
