Photo via Inter Miami on X
Inter Miami’s week began with headlines off the pitch and ended with another statement performance on it. After a controversial White House visit earlier in the week, Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul led Inter Miami to a 2–1 victory over DC United in front of a record-breaking crowd in Baltimore.
The match drew 72,026 fans at M&T Bank Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, setting a new attendance record for a sporting event at the venue. The previous record of 71,547 was set by a Ravens game. DC United, whose usual home is Audi Field, moved the match to Baltimore to accommodate the massive demand driven largely by Messi’s presence.
The result gave Inter Miami another important three points while continuing the trend of record crowds following the club across the United States.
White House Visit Draws Mixed Reaction
Before the match, Inter Miami visited the White House as MLS Cup champions. The visit, which is traditional for major U.S. sports champions, sparked debate among fans.
Some supporters expressed disappointment over the meeting with President Donald Trump, particularly during a time when the United States is involved in tensions with Iran and amid nationwide protests over ICE detentions. A significant portion of the club’s Latino fanbase voiced concerns online.
Head coach Javier Mascherano explained that the visit had been arranged months earlier and that the team simply followed protocol.
Mascherano said:
“We were told the visit would simply be to congratulate us on our title and that we’d only talk about football, but that’s not how it turned out. We arrived early, waited, saw very little of the White House, and only saw the president during the moment shown on TV.”
He also emphasized that the visit had been scheduled well in advance.
“We’re mature enough to separate things. The visit was scheduled more than two months ago, so we simply followed the protocol that had already been agreed. We’re aware the current situation is different from when the visit was first arranged.”
The team quickly shifted focus back to football ahead of the trip to Baltimore.
Inter Miami Start Strong in Baltimore
Mascherano made one change to the lineup that defeated Orlando City in the Florida Derby. Mateo Silvetti started ahead of Tadeo Allende, who was dealing with discomfort.
Mascherano explained the decision:
“Tadeo wasn’t feeling well and had some discomfort, so we decided to start with Toto (Silvetti), who finished the previous match strongly. It was a technical decision.”
Inter Miami started the match with their most fluid football of the season. The passing was quick, the defensive structure looked organized, and the attacking movement caused problems for DC United early.
The breakthrough came after strong pressing from Germán Berterame. The striker chased down a defender near the penalty area and recovered possession. He quickly played the ball to Telasco Segovia, who squared it across the box to Rodrigo De Paul.
De Paul finished calmly to give Inter Miami the lead.
It marked the first time Miami scored the opening goal in their first three matches of the season.
Messi Adds Another Historic Moment
Inter Miami continued to push forward after the opener. Shortly afterward, Mateo Silvetti delivered a precise pass into space for Lionel Messi, who made a run into the box from the right side.
Messi lifted a delicate chip over the goalkeeper to double Miami’s lead.
With that goal, Messi reached another remarkable milestone. He now has 899 career goals and 80 goals for Inter Miami in just 91 appearances. Considering his career has spanned two decades at the highest level, the numbers remain staggering.
Messi nearly scored his historic 900th career goal later in the match after dribbling through multiple defenders, but his shot went inches wide.
Bright Anchors Miami’s Midfield
Defensively, Yannick Bright delivered another strong performance. The midfielder produced a crucial intervention when DC United’s Gabriel Pirani broke through on goal.
Bright has become one of Miami’s most reliable players since establishing himself in the lineup late last season. His physicality, combined with De Paul’s energy in midfield, gives Miami the ability to track back and defend against counterattacks.
A Tale of Two Halves
The second half told a different story. Inter Miami appeared to lose intensity and struggled to maintain rhythm.
Mascherano later described the performance as a recurring issue.
DC United increased pressure and began creating chances on the counterattack. Mascherano introduced Tadeo Allende in the 71st minute for Silvetti.
Just four minutes later, DC United finally broke through. Jackson Hopkins forced a strong save from Dayne St Clair, but the rebound fell directly to Baribo, who tapped it into the net.
The goal shifted momentum and energized the home crowd.
DC United finished the half with nine shots compared to Miami’s three, pushing hard for an equalizer.
Miami Hold On for the Win
Mascherano made one final defensive substitution in the 88th minute, bringing on Gonzalo Luján for Segovia to help protect the lead.
Inter Miami had one more opportunity late in the match when Messi combined with Berterame before finding De Paul inside the box, but his shot sailed over the bar.
In stoppage time, St Clair received a yellow card for time wasting as Miami managed the clock.
The final whistle confirmed a 2–1 victory for Inter Miami and another successful road performance.
Post-Match Reactions
Mascherano praised the team’s competitiveness but emphasized the need for improvement.
“We have to keep improving constantly. If there’s one thing we can’t have, it’s complacency — we’re always trying to evolve.”
He also highlighted the growing popularity of football in the United States.
“We are a very demanding club. We push ourselves a lot and try to compete in every match. Filling stadiums and seeing football grow in the United States is wonderful. Leo’s arrival has clearly been a decisive factor.”
Messi was named MLS Player of the Match, while Berterame received Inter Miami’s Royal Caribbean Player of the Match award.
Berterame said:
“The conclusion we take is that we also knew how to defend, especially considering how much they attacked us in the second half. But we scored the goals early and built a good advantage. These are difficult matches, but the important thing is that we take the victory.”
What’s Next for Inter Miami
Inter Miami now turn their attention to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which the club has identified as its primary objective for the season.
Miami will face Nashville SC in the Round of 16. The club has won seven of their last ten meetings against Nashville, losing only once.
With the away-goal rule in effect and the second leg scheduled to be played at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami will be aiming to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
For now, the club continues to do two things simultaneously: win matches and fill stadiums across the United States. And as long as Lionel Messi is on the field, both trends seem likely to continue.
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