Inter Miami beat a 1-1 draw against DC United in Washington with loads of character despite not having the services of Lionel Messi on the field. Argentine midfielder Baltasar Rodríguez upstaged with an individual effort in the second half and helped his Florida club grab a hard-earned point.
The win sets Miami up to 46 points with 13 victories, 5 defeats and 7 draws, which places them 5th in the Eastern Conference. DC, on the other hand, is at the bottom of 15th, tied on 21 points after 4 victories, 15 defeats and 9 draws.
Hopkins gives DC United the lead
The hosts started stronger. Jackson Hopkins found a pocket of space after thirteen minutes and banged in the opener, sending the Washington fans into ecstasy. Shortly thereafter, DC nearly doubled their lead. At the 29th minute Hosei Kijima outstripped a defender on the left and shot, prompting goalkeeper Ríos Novo to make an instant save to keep Miami alive.
On the other side, Inter Miami tried to reverse. They applied pressure and looked for a path back, but their finishing inside the box kept letting them down. The Herons lacked that one touch, and without Messi controlling the game, their buildup was stuck in gear. At halftime, the Black-and-Red felt comfortable, and Miami clearly needed changes to spark something.
Rodríguez shakes things up with a rocket, Suárez nearly completes the comeback
Subs had their say after halftime. Rodríguez replaced one of them and didn't waste much time putting his mark on it. In the 64th, he picked the ball up first-time from the edge of the box and ripped it into the top corner, leaving the keeper perplexed.
It was his first Inter Miami goal and probably one of the most breathtaking goals in MLS this term. Moments later, Luis Suárez then threatened to turn the game upside down, but his close-range effort was denied by a reflex save that left the tie in balance. Miami continued to press on until the final whistle blew, and the point ultimately proved a just reward for their comeback.