MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA — A dramatic 2-2 draw at Nu Stadium left Inter Miami CF frustrated on Friday night, as Adri Mehmeti's close-range finish in the 77th minute cancelled out what had looked like a match-winning lead for the third-placed hosts. The result means Inter Miami, who had fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1, were denied victory in a pulsating MLS encounter that swung repeatedly between the two sides. New York Red Bulls, sitting seventh with 11 points, showed the resilience that has defined their recent form, refusing to buckle even as Miami pressed for a winner in a nervy final quarter-hour.
Jorge Ruvalcaba announced his intentions early, breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute after Julian Hall's incisive pass unlocked the Miami defence on a lightning fast break. Ruvalcaba drilled a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner, giving the visitors a lead that flattered their ambitions but rewarded their directness. Miami pushed back immediately, and the equalizer arrived in first-half stoppage time when Rodrigo De Paul whipped a cross into the box and Mateo Silvetti guided a composed right-footed finish into the centre of the goal. It was a clinical response from the hosts, and the teams went into the interval level at 1-1.
Inter Miami emerged from the break with renewed purpose, and Germán Berterame put them ahead just ten minutes into the second half. The Argentine striker latched onto a delivery from the centre of the box and slotted a right-footed effort into the bottom right corner in the 55th minute, sending the Nu Stadium crowd into raptures. Miami looked set to hold on, but New York had other ideas. Hall, who had already tormented the Miami backline all evening, turned provider once more in the 77th minute, this time from a set piece situation. Mehmeti reacted quickest from very close range, poking a right-footed shot into the centre of the goal to restore parity and silence the home faithful.
The match was not without its VAR drama, either. Robert Voloder had the ball in the net for New York Red Bulls, only for the goal to be overturned following a review, preserving Miami's 2-1 advantage at that stage. The decision proved pivotal in the short term, though Mehmeti's equalizer ultimately ensured the visitors left with a share of the spoils regardless. Cade Cowell was booked in the 59th minute for a bad foul before being withdrawn in the 66th minute, while Ian Fray picked up a yellow card for Miami in the 76th minute, moments before being replaced by Luis Suárez. Rafael Mosquera also saw yellow for New York in the 80th minute, adding to the febrile atmosphere inside the stadium.
The teams shared possession almost equally at 50%-50%, a reflection of how closely contested the encounter was from first whistle to last. Ethan Horvath was called into action five times for New York Red Bulls, producing a heroic performance between the sticks that kept his side within reach during Miami's most dominant spells. Horvath denied Micael with a fine save to the top centre of the goal from a Telasco Segovia cross, and also thwarted Luis Suárez — introduced as a substitute — after Lionel Messi had played a cross into the box in the closing stages. Miami's inability to convert those late chances proved costly, as their shot-shy opponents made every counter-attack count.
The scoreboard resets; the table does not. Inter Miami CF carry 12 points into their trip to face Colorado Rapids on April 18, still third but knowing dropped points at home are becoming a habit. New York Red Bulls, buoyed by their late leveller, travel to face CF Montréal on the same date, hoping Hall's creative spark can continue to unlock defences on the road.