Inter Miami’s pursuit of Major League Soccer’s single-season points record faced a setback on Saturday as a last-minute equalizer from James Sands secured a 1-1 draw for New York City FC against the Eastern Conference leaders.
Miami, already assured of a postseason berth, seemed poised for their 20th win of the season after Lionel Messi set up a 75th-minute goal for Ecuadorian international Leonardo Campana at Yankee Stadium, putting them 1-0 ahead. However, in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, Sands leapt to meet a Santiago Rodriguez corner, sending a powerful header past Herons goalkeeper Drake Callender.
The draw leaves Miami with 64 points from 30 games. To equal the New England Revolution’s all-time single-season points tally of 73 set in 2021, Gerardo Martino’s men must now secure nine points from the remaining 12 available, or 10 points to surpass the record.
Despite the late equalizer, Miami could not complain much as New York City FC earned a deserved point from the game. The hosts created several opportunities and could have taken the lead earlier, but poor finishing spared Miami.
Messi, lively from the start, almost scored with a fourth-minute free-kick that narrowly missed the post. New York, however, continued to generate better chances, including a free-kick from Rodriguez in the 11th minute that struck the post and bounced off goalkeeper Callender for a corner. Keaton Parks also missed a clear opportunity in the 47th minute, shooting wide with the goal at his mercy.
Miami’s goal came against the run of play when Messi passed to Jordi Alba, who squared the ball for Campana to finish from close range. This goal seemed to secure the win for Miami until Sands’ late header from a Rodriguez corner ensured a dramatic draw.
The result dents Miami’s hopes of breaking the single-season points record, but they still have a chance to achieve it with strong performances in their remaining games.
