New England Revolution - Inter Miami summary: goals, stats and highlights | MLS
New England Revolution - Inter Miami: As it happened
A brace from Lionel Messi fired Inter Miami to a comprehensive win over the New England Revolution.
The Herons were top of the Eastern Conference ahead of their trip to the struggling Revs but were behind after just 40 seconds when stand-in striker Tomas Chancaly opened the scoring. Miami were back on terms after half an hour when Lionel Messi finished coolly from close range.
The Miami captain scored his second midway through the second half, latching on to a delightful through-ball from Sergio Busquets. With half an hour to go the visitors were ahead and they made it safe in the final stages as Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suarez came off the bench to score.
The game ended 4-1 to Inter Miami, a third successive MLS win for Tata Martino's side and another disappointing day for the Revs.
Benjamin Cremaschi grabs his first goal of the season
Young midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi enjoyed a breakthough season in 2023 but was sidelined for the first months of 2024 due to injury. The 19-year-old came off the bench for Miami at Gillette Stadium and scored his first goal of the season, firing home from close range after Lionel Messi was denied his hattrick.
Inter Miami triumph at Gillette Stadium
The Herons ease past the New England Revolution thanks to a brace from Lionel Messi and late goals from Luis Suarez and Benjamin Cremaschi.
Inter Miami retain their place at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Revs stay rooted at the other end.
Goal kick to Inter Miami which Drake Callender plays short. Ball is worked to Luis Suarez, who tries to find Mathis Rojas but the pass is overhit.
Inter Miami are not content with four goals here, still looking to improve their goal difference in the final stages. The additions of Benjamin Cremaschi and Mathias Rojas have really helped, adding fresh legs to the midfield.
Dangerous cross whipped in by Dylan Borrero from the left. Drake Callender claims it confidently.
There will be five minutes of added time at Gillette Stadium.
Inter Miami want more here. Cremaschi, Suarez and Messi come forward again but can't quite work an opening. The Revs are down to ten men after the injury to Nacho Gil, making this a little too easy for Miami now.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Luis Suarez
It's four! Lionel Messi and Benjamin Cremaschi were involved again, working the ball to Luis Suarez who fired into the top corner. Brilliant goal from the Herons!
New England keep pushing. Carles Gil plays a brilliant pass to Chancaly on the right of the box. He pokes the ball back across the face of goal but no one is there to finish it for the Revs.
Nacho Gil
Bad news for the Revs as Gil goes down holding his knee. There was no contact involved, suggesting that this could be a serious issue.
Brilliant play from Mathias Rojas on that goal, battling down the right flank and pulling the ball back to Lionel Messi on the edge of the six-yard box. The Inter Miami captain draws a flying save from Henrick Ravas but Cremaschi is on hand to fire home the rebound.
GOOOOOOAAAAAL! Benjamin Cremaschi
Another for Inter Miami and it's Benjamin Cremaschi, who returns from injury to score his first goal of the season! A cool finish from the 19-year-old midfielder.
Nice moment for New England as Dylan Borrero returns from a nine-month injury absence, replacing Mark-Anthony Kaye.
Lionel Messi comes forward and brings the ball to the edge of the box. He selflessly chooses not to shoot and Negri wins a corner kick for the Herons.
Inter Miami are playing with more of a 4-4-2 now, leaving Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as the two forwards. Mathias Rojas is on the left of the midfield, with a license to join the forward line.
Inter Miami clear the corner kick and punt the ball forward to Suarez. He holds the ball up well but can do little more, checking back and finding Cremaschi in the midfield.
It's Carles Gil who wins a corner kick for his team, much to the outrage of Nicolas Freire.
Inter Miami have tried to slow the game down since taking the lead, but the Revs have kept pushing. Carles Gil is at the centre of everything and he looks the most likely candidate is the hosts are to find a leveller.
First chance for Inter Miami fans to see Mathias Rojas. The Paraguayan midfielder is an international teammate of Herons youngster Diego Gomez and joins from Brazilian giants Corinthians.
And now a double change for Inter Miami. Gressel and Taylor depart. They are replaced by Benjamin Cremaschi and new signing Mathias Rojas
Brilliant work from Carles Gil to slide the ball through to Ian Harkes in the Miami box. He shoots on goal but it's deflected and bounces over the crossbar.
Double change for the hosts. Vrioni and Spaulding come on, replacing Farrell and Boateng.
Tomas Chancaly cuts inside from the left and tries to curl one past Callender form 30 yards. The shot is a little wild and flies well off-target.
It should be said, the Revs are not lying down here. The hosts come back at Miami and try to force something, pushing them back to their own penalty box.
Inter Miami lead through second Lionel Messi goal!
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Lionel Messi
Sensational goal! Sergio Busquets split the Revs defence with surgical precison and Messi latched onto the ball, firing confidently home from close range.
The corner kick is taken from the left and ends up in the hands of Henrick Ravas. Revs have a chance to get up-field.
Back to the action, Miami come forward again on the right. The ball is whipped in and Taylor pokes the ball to Lionel Messi, who is promptly closed down and the shot is deflected out for a corner kick.
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Wondering why Luis Suarez wasn't playing from the start for Inter Miami? It's all to do with New England's artificial turf field and Saurez's aging knees...
And Luis Suarez enters the fray!
He replaces Leonardo Campana.
Good composure from Callender to play his way out under pressure, drawing a brief applause from teammate Sergio Busquets. High praise indeed.
Well, that may provide something of an answer.
Illness-stricken Matt Polster comes off, Ian Harkes comes on.
As we approach the hourmark, it'll be interesting to see how the Revs hold up after an illness spread through the camp this week. Head coach Caleb Porter is without a number of first time players and some of those playing, such as Matt Polster, are known to be struggling.
New England work the ball to the edge of the box. Carles Gill tries to chip Callender from 25 yards, but his deft effort lands on the roof of the net.
Carles Gil brings the ball forward for the hosts. New England play the ball around midfield, finally putting together a string of passes.
Julian Gressl has spade on the right but checks inside to find Lionel Messi. The Miami captain looks to pick out Robert Taylor at the back post by the winger can't quite reach the pass.
Tata Martino is absolutely furious about something on the side.
Seems he disagreed with the decision to award the Revs a throw-in on the halfway line.
Miami work the ball out to Gressel on the right. He clips in a delicate cross into the middle, Weigandt connects well but his header bounces just wide of the crossbar.
Sergio Busquets is fouled on the halfway line and Miami play it quickly forward towards Taylor on the left. He latches onto the ball and wins a corner kick for his team.
Mix-up at the back from Inter Miami. Drake Callender needlessly gives away a throw-in after being put under pressure by the Revs frontline.
It's been an even start to the second half, with both teams showing ambition going forward.
Weigandt gives away a free kick on the edge of the Revs box, a clumsy challenge.
Gressel picks up a loose ball in the Revs' half. The ball is worked out to Taylor on the left, who floats in a rather aimless cross to the back post.
Revs clear easily.
Brilliant pass from Busquets to sweep the ball out to Weigandt on the right. The Miami rightback, however, misreads the bounce and it goes out for a throw-in.
Good work from Carles Gil to bring the ball out from the corner flag and find Kaye on the edge of the box. The midfielder lets fly but his shot is just over the crossbar.
And we're back!
The second half is underway at Gillette Stadium.
Inter Miami or New England Patriots?
The Herons are at Gillette Stadium tonight, the home of NFL team New England Patriots. The price of NFL tickets is notoriously high but, when Lionel Messi's in town, MLS is the more attractive prospect!
Watch: Messi goal levels it for Inter Miami
They got off to a terrible start at Gillette Stadium but Inter Miami are level at the break thanks to a well-taken goal from Lionel Messi. Ruthless finishing from the Herons captain.
All square at the break!
Halftime at Gillette Stadium, one goal apiece between the New England Revolution and Inter Miami.
Bit of controversy as a promising Revs break is halted by an apparent foul on Busquets.
The referee awards Inter Miami a free kick but Boateng didn't do much wrong there.
There will be just one minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Good from Negri to charge down the left and find Messi on the edge of the box. He tries to skip through the challenges and into the box but is crowded out by Revs defenders.
Tomas Aviles tries to fire a pass through to Marcelo Weigandt on the right. It's overhit and bounces out for a goal kick for New England.
Messi curls in the cross but Lima heads the ball clear.
Campana gives away a free kick as the Revs try to break.
Free kick to Inter Miami on the left, about 40 yards from goal, Again, it's Lionel Messi across to take it...
Lionel Messi trots across to take the first corner of the game.
He picks out Julian Gressel at the back post but the midfielder can't direct his header on target.
Good work from Leo Campana near the corner flag, winning a corner kick for his team on the right.
But, against the run of play, the Revs come forward. Carles Gil gets on the ball and works it through to Boateng, but the wideman can't find the right cross.
Watch: Lionel Messi goal puts Inter Miami level
Robert Taylor needed two attempts to play the pass, but Lionel Messi only required one to find the back of the net.
That's his eighth goal of the season so far, and it may not be his last of the evening.
How will that goal affect the New England Revolution now? The Herons have been in the ascendency in the last ten minutes and Messi is finding gaps between the defenders.
We haven't seen much of Leo Campana so far, but he's doing a fine job at occupying the Revs backline.
The goal was a little bit messy, Robert Taylor losing and then regaining the ball on the edge of the Revs box. The ball bounced through to Lionel Messi and the Argentine made no mistake from eight yards out.
All square at Gillette Stadium!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAL! Lionel Messi
Inevitable! His influence was becoming increasingly apparent and Lionel Messi is now on the scoresheet, firing home past Ravas from a one-on-one.
With half on hour on the clock Inter Miami are starting to turn the screw now. The Herons are pinning New England back into their own half.
Messi makes a darting run into the box and nearly gets on the end of a Busquets cross. He's muscled out of it by Revs defenders.
First bit of magic from Lionel Messi. He draws an 'ooooo' from the crowd with a nutmeg midway into the Revs half, before checking back onto his right and firing low and hard from 30 yards. Comfortably saved by Henrick Ravas.
Inter Miami start to build a bit of pressure. First a cross in towards Campana, then a blocked shot from distance from Negri.
Inter Miami work the ball to David Ruiz on the left. He cuts inside onto his right foot and curls in a dangerous cross, but it just evades Campana at the back post.
Nick Lima comes forward on the left, finding Carles Gil in the middle. The Revs look to recycle the play and it's worked all the way back to debutant Arreaga in the middle of defence.
Miami come forward again with Ruiz. He tries to make space for a shot on the edge of the box but is dispossessed.
The Revs' off-the-ball work has been outstanding so far.
Freire fires a ball out to Weigandt on the right. He looks to combine with Gressel but the pass is poor and Miami lose the ball.
Carles Gil cuts inside from the right and plays a brilliant, curling cross towards the back post. Nick Lima tries to reach it but the ball just bounces over his head and out for a goal kick.
More good play from Gil.
Busquets loses the ball with an ambitious pass towards Messi.
The Revs break straight away, finding Boateng with a long ball to the left flank. Miami manage to clear the danger but they looked a little stretched, struggling to deal with the direct counter-attacking play.
Messi tries a give-and-go with Campana on the edge of the box but the big striker can't find the right pass to play him through.
Carles Gil has really impressed in the opening 17 minutes. Setting up the goal, dictating the play and working tirelessly out of possession.
This is what Caleb Porter need from his captain and talisman.
Marcelo Weigandt makes good progress down the right for Miami but he's a little to forceful, giving away a free kick near the Revs corner flag.
Messi pounces on a loose ball on the halfway line and tries a cheeky nutmeg on Kaye, but the Revs midfielder does well to win the ball.
Negri is penalised for a tough challenge on Nacho Gil on the touchline. Free kick to New England.
Positive play from Miami to get Taylor in space on the edge of the box. He finds Negri on the overlap but the leftback can't deliver a cross with any real quality.
The Revs get the ball clear, but that's better from the visitors.
Messi and Busquets try to combine on the halfway line but they are crowded out and lose the ball.
You don't see that too often.
Good anticipation from Aviles to sweep up and block another promising attack from the Revs.
Inter Miami are being pinned back by the Revs' aggressive press around the halfway line. Busquets is dropping back into defence to help build the play but there's very little on for Miami.
More good play from the Revs and Chancaly holds the ball up well and brings Nacho Gil into the play.
Boateng tries to win a corner kick for his team, but it's a Miami goal kick.
Watch: Inter Miami behind after early Revs goal
Just 37 seconds, that's all the New England Revolution needed to take the lead against Miami. It's top-against-bottom in the East, and the early season strugglers are ahead.
Disciplined start from the Revs, who are hustling well to pinch the ball in the midfield.
Carlos Gil is fouled by Tomas Aviles. Over-eager from the young Miami defender.
The home crowd are up for it now! Has the change of surface made a difference for Inter Miami? The Herons certainly seemed a little off-balance for that early opener.
Tomas Chancalay, the stand-in striker, finished brilliantly from a tight angle. The ball over the top from Gil was decisive and Chancalay's delicate finish made Callender look very silly in the Miami goal.
New England Revolution are ahead!
GOOOOOAAAAAAAL! New England
Incredible! Carles Gil pounces on a poor pass in the middle, plays it forward to Chancalay who clips the ball past Callender.
What a start!
And we're off!
Inter Miami get things underway in New England...
Players take to the field in New England
The players are out at Gillette Stadium ahead of a fascinating match-up at Gillette Stadium
'Don't fight darkness, bring the light' reads a banner from the home supporters. It's certainly been a bleak start to the season for the Revs.
Ahead of the team news announcements, some were wondering whether Lionel Messi would be played from the start against New England Revolution. Gillette Stadium features an artificial turf surface, something that older players sometimes avoid due to the greater pressure it places on joints.
Messi, however, seems unbothered by the prospect. In fact, he's played on artificial surfaces before...
More than 65,000 pack into Gillette Stadium
What an atmosphere we have at Gillette Stadium tonight. New England Revolution host Inter Miami this evening, with a top-against-bottom clash in the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi starts for the Herons are will be looking to add to his incredible MLS scoring tally against a depleted Revs side. A number of players have withdrawn due to a illness in the New England camp.
Kick-off approaches at Gillette Stadium
Inter Miami have welcomed back Robert Taylor and Leonardo Campana from injury, two key players for Tata Martino in their run to the Leagues Cup in 2023. They offer greater physical qualities and dovetail nicely with Lionel Messi off the right flank.
Struggling Revs put through their paces
The 2024 season has not got off to a promising start for the New England Revolution. Caleb Porter took over after the unceremonious departure of Bruce Arena last year but has struggled to turn around a listing Revs team.
They have won just one of their opening eight fixtures and have scored an MLS-low five goals so far this year. Can they turn their season around tonight? It would certainly bring fresh confidence to the team...
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Wondering why the likes of Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba are absent from the starting XI for Inter Miami? They are just two of the fitness concerns for Tata Martino ahead of the trip to New England.
Will this much-changed Herons team have enough to beat the struggling Revs? We'll find out very soon...
Crowd gather for Inter Miami
You'd think that Inter Miami CSO Chris Henderson would be used to this sort of thing by now.
Fans, soccer lovers and interested observers have flocked to see the team since the arrival of Lionel Messi last summer and the Herons are still packing out stadiums across the country.
Messi and Suarez arrive at Gillette Stadium
Inter Miami are looking to maintain a positive run of recent MLS form, coming off the back of two hard-fought wins against Sporting Kansas City and Nashville SC. The Herons are without Jordi Alba tonight, have Luis Suarez on the bench, but still boast Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in the starting XI.
And here's the New England Revolution starting XI...
The Revs line up without DP striker Giacomo Vrioni, who drops to the bench after last weekend's loss against Toronto. Esmir Bajraktarevic misses out entirely, the young playmaker appears to be struggling with illness.
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The Herons are without former Barcelona and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez from the start this evening. The 37-year-old has impressed since joining the club in the offseason but his ongoing knee condition continues to cause issues and looks to have kept him from the starting XI today.
Inter Miami team news!
Here it is, and there's some big omissions for Tata Martino.
Luis Suarez starts on the bench. Jordi Alba is still out with an injury.
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Looking for a way to watch the New England Revolution take on Inter Miami? We'll have full live coverage with all of the goals right here but you can also choose to watch or stream the game online.
Here's everything you need to know...
Gillette Stadium ready for Revs - Herons
The New England Revolution play at the 60,000-capacity Gillette Stadium and we're expecting every seat to be filled tonight, as Inter Miami come to town. Interestingly, not only is tonight's game a sell-out but tickets are also going for more than a regular season Patriots game.
We're expecting a great atmosphere tonight!
No team news yet, but we can be fairly sure that Drake Callender will start for Inter Miami and break the club's all-time appearance record. Albeit, as the club joined the league in 2020 the milestone is fairly modest, but Callender has proved himself to be one of the league's best goalkeepers over the past 12 months.
Here's how the keeper found out about the impending record...
Inter Miami preparations underway
We're yet to get confirmed team news from Gillette Stadium but it looks like we could be seeing a new face in the Inter Miami squad. New signing Matthias Rojas only joined the club this week but, with a number of injury concerns for the Herons, he may well get some game time against the Revs.
Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of New England Revolution - Inter Miami!
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be guiding you through all the action from Gillette Stadium as Lionel Messi tries to lead his team to a third successive MLS win.
Without further ado, away we go...