James Sands recorded his first career MLS goal in stoppage time to help New York City Football Club salvage a point on Saturday afternoon in a 1-1 draw with Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami.
Sands’ goal came in the 95th minute with his club down by one in an important game late in the season as NYCFC is battling for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
The NYCFC midfielder leaped into the air to head a Santiago Rodríguez corner kick past Drake Callender for the equalizer.
New York City FC midfielder James Sands (6) celebrates after scoring a goal against Inter Miami CF during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21, 2024. Mark Smith-Imagn Images
The dramatic finish sent the Yankee Stadium crowd home getting their money’s worth with a larger-than-usual crowd on hand in large part to see Messi, who was playing in the Big Apple for the first time since he made the jump to MLS.
Inter Miami CF forward Leo Campana (8) is congratulated by forward Lionel Messi (10) after scoring a goal against New York City FC during the second half at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21, 2024. Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Messi had used his golden leg earlier in the match to help set up an Inter Miami goal, delighting the largely pro-Messi crowd.
Messi stormed up the pitch and threaded a perfect pass inside the box to Jordi Alba, who was able to get a quick touch over to Leo Campana for the goal in the 75th minute of what had been a scoreless game.
The Messi moment stopped short of the goal New York area soccer fans were treated to by the Argentinian superstar last year when he faced the New York Red Bulls.
But the large swaths of fans — clad in Inter Miami merch — erupted at the Campana goal.
While all eyes had been on Messi from start to finish, NYCFC had appeared to be the better team for large portions of the game, but just never capitalized on their chances until late in the game.
Hannes Wolf had back-to-back chances in the 60th and 61st minutes, one of which forced Miami keeper Callender to make a diving save.
The match was largely subdued until the latter part of the second half when tempers began to flare between the two clubs.
Inter Miami CF forward Leo Campana (8) celebrates after scoring a goal against New York City FC during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mark Smith-Imagn Images
In a roughly eight-minute span between the 63rd minute and 71st, a combined five yellow cards — four for Inter Miami and one for NYCFC — were handed out and Inter Miami assistant coach Gerardo Andres Martino was given a red card.
There had been some questions about whether Messi would be in Inter Miami’s starting lineup on Saturday afternoon after he came off the bench on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Messi is in his first week back after recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the Copa America final in July and did start for Miami against NYCFC.
New York City FC celebrates after midfielder James Sands (6) scored a goal. Mark Smith-Imagn Images
NYFCF officials had expected a big crowd in The Bronx for Messi’s first official Big Apple appearance with Miami, with expectations of over 40,000.
Lionel Messi (10) dribbles the ball against New York City FC during the first half at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21, 2024. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The upper deck of Yankee Stadium, which is usually closed for NYCFC matches, was opened in anticipation of the larger-than-usual fan presence.
Pink Inter Miami jerseys — many adorned with Messi’s name on the back — were easily spotted among the fans in attendance.
Messi was greeted by a loud ovation when he walked onto the pitch for warm-ups and when his name was mentioned as part of the starting lineup.
And a swell of excitement grew every time Messi touched the ball.
NYCFC supporters tried to counter the Messi mania with a banner they unfurled before kickoff that depicted Inter Miami fans as plastic and poked fun at the surge in the club’s popularity due to the Argentinian superstar.
