FC Dallas and Inter Miami CF played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the opening match of the 2024 MLS season on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Toyota Stadium. The game had everything: goals, drama, controversy, and a stunning comeback by the visitors.
The game started with FC Dallas on the front foot, pressing high and creating chances. Inter Miami, who had a busy offseason with several new signings, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappe, looked nervous and disjointed. FC Dallas took the lead in the 12th minute, when Ricardo Pepi, the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner, pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired a low shot past the keeper. Inter Miami tried to respond, but FC Dallas doubled their lead in the 27th minute, when Jesus Ferreira, the reigning MLS MVP, curled a beautiful free kick from the edge of the box into the top corner. Inter Miami were shell-shocked and conceded a third goal in the 39th minute, when Ryan Hollingshead, a left-back, ran onto a through ball from Paxton Pomykal and chipped the ball over the keeper.
Inter Miami manager Phil Neville made two changes at the break, bringing on Ronaldo and Mbappe for Rodolfo Pizarro and Robbie Robinson. FC Dallas also made a change, replacing Pomykal with Tanner Tessmann. The second half was a different story, as Inter Miami came out with more urgency and intensity. They pulled one back in the 49th minute, when Messi, who had been quiet in the first half, dribbled past two defenders and slotted the ball past the keeper. FC Dallas tried to restore their three-goal cushion, but Inter Miami reduced the gap to one in the 67th minute, when Ronaldo, who had been lively since coming on, headed in a cross from Lewis Morgan. FC Dallas were under pressure and Inter Miami completed their comeback in the 83rd minute, when Mbappe, who had been a constant threat with his pace and movement, latched onto a long ball from Blaise Matuidi and lobbed the ball over the keeper.
The game was not over yet, as FC Dallas had a chance to win it in the 90th minute, when they were awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a handball by Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. Pepi stepped up to take it, but his shot was saved by the keeper. The final whistle blew soon after, confirming the 3-3 draw and the remarkable recovery by Inter Miami.
FC Dallas manager Luchi Gonzalez praised his team’s performance in the first half and expressed his disappointment at the second half. He said: “I’m proud of the way we played in the first half. We were dominant, aggressive, and clinical. We scored some fantastic goals and we could have scored more. But we let them back into the game in the second half. We lost our focus, our intensity, and our shape. We gave them too much space and time, and they punished us. They have some world-class players and they showed it. We have to learn from this and improve. We have to play for 90 minutes, not 45.”
Inter Miami manager Phil Neville congratulated his team’s performance in the second half and expressed his satisfaction at the result. He said: “I’m delighted with the way we played in the second half. We showed our character, our spirit, and our quality. We never gave up, we fought back, and we earned a point. We have some amazing players and they showed it. We have to build on this and grow. We have to play for 90 minutes, not 45.”
FC Dallas and Inter Miami will face each other again in the Leagues Cup quarter-final on August 7, 2024, at Inter Miami CF Stadium. The two sides have met four times in the Leagues Cup, with Inter Miami winning three times and FC Dallas winning once. Inter Miami are the defending champions of the Leagues Cup, having beaten FC Dallas in the round of 16 and then going on to win the trophy in 2023. FC Dallas will be looking for revenge and a chance to advance to the semi-final.