<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter-miami/"><strong>Inter Miami</strong></a>‘s <strong>MLS</strong> season opener against <strong>New York City FC</strong> was full of drama, with several twists in the first half alone. After scoring the Herons’ first goal from a brilliant assist by <strong>Lionel Messi</strong>, <strong>center-back <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/tomas-aviles/">Tomas Aviles</a> was shown a red card following a late tackle</strong>.</p>



<p>Just five minutes into the match, Inter Miami took the lead when Messi and Jordi Alba played a perfect one-two, <strong>setting up <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Messi</a> to deliver a precise ball to Aviles</strong>, who simply had to tap it in.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Argentina connection between Aviles and Messi. 🇦🇷<br><br>Leo gets his first assist of 2025 and <a href="https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InterMiamiCF</a> lead early. <br><br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSSeasonPass?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLSSeasonPass</a> or Apple TV+: <a href="https://t.co/New3YJgffK">https://t.co/New3YJgffK</a> <a href="https://t.co/6hUqW4vjGb">pic.twitter.com/6hUqW4vjGb</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1893463285023854745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>However, things quickly took a turn in the 22nd minute. As NYC FC’s Alonso Martinez found himself in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, <strong>Aviles tugged the forward’s shirt from behind</strong>, earning a red card from referee Rosendo Mendoza shortly after opening the scoring.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="ar" dir="rtl">بلنتي للخصم<br><br>هذه المباراة برعاية <a href="https://twitter.com/TheKusamarian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheKusamarian</a> <a href="https://t.co/bG1rhswqfw">pic.twitter.com/bG1rhswqfw</a></p>— Messi World (@M10GOAT) <a href="https://twitter.com/M10GOAT/status/1893466602160472382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p><strong>The foul proved costly, as NYC FC equalized just minutes later</strong>. A well-executed set-piece led to Maximiliano Moralez sending a pinpoint pass to Mitja Ilenič, who finished clinically to level the score.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250223_WST_556335_Inter-Miami-MLS-1200x675_23d4db07.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-556345" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/02/22210101/Inter-Miami-MLS.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>In response to the numerical disadvantage in defense, coach <strong>Javier Mascherano</strong> decided to <strong>substitute midfielder David Ruiz for center-back Ian Fray to solidify the backline</strong> and hold the result for the rest of the game.</p>


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<h2>Messi’s second assist sets up Segovia’s equalizer</h2>



<p>Inter Miami was on the brink of a 2-1 defeat, playing with one fewer player for most of the match. However, <strong>Messi once again proved the difference</strong>, helping the Herons level the score in the 90+10 minutes.</p>



<p>After drawing the attention of three defenders with a brilliant run, <strong>Messi delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Telasco Segovia</strong>. The Venezuelan winger finished with a clinical strike over the goalkeeper, making it 2-2.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OH MY 😱<br><br>Another Messi assist laaaate in stoppage time to equalize. <a href="https://t.co/ZEt6KeD2Cf">pic.twitter.com/ZEt6KeD2Cf</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1893493176347861205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Picault and Weigandt, out due to injuries</h2>



<p><strong>Fafa Picault, a free agent signing from Vancouver Whitecaps, was one of the new faces for Inter Miami in the 2025 MLS season</strong>. The Haitian forward had impressed in preseason matches, including the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Sporting Kansas City. However, his MLS debut took a turn for the worse.</p>



<p>Just 10 minutes into the match, <strong>Picault fell to the ground, appearing to suffer a muscle injury</strong>. He was replaced by Robert Taylor, leaving Inter Miami down one attacking option early in the game.</p>



<p>Later in the match, Marcelo Weigandt was seen showing discomfort in his left leg. To avoid using another substitution window, he held off until the end of the first half. At the start of the second half, <strong>Weigandt was substituted for Federico Redondo, marking another muscular injury for Inter Miami</strong>.</p>

Video: Tomas Aviles gets red card after being assisted by Messi in first MLS goal for Inter Miami vs. NYC FC

Video: Tomas Aviles gets red card after being assisted by Messi in first MLS goal for Inter Miami vs. NYC FC - World Soccer Talk

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<p>There will soon be yet another Argentine playing for Inter Miami as the club lands a talented defender.</p>



<p>On Tuesday, the club announced that they had signed center-back <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/inter-miami-to-sign-argentine-tomas-aviles-20230727-WST-445881.html">Tomas Aviles</a>. Aviles signed a deal that keeps him with the club until the 2026 MLS season. The MLS’s U-22 program is what brought in the 19-year-old.</p>



<p>Aviles will use up an international roster spot, and his contract contains options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. “We’re very happy to sign Tomas, a prospect we feel has a very bright future ahead. Tomas is a talented young player who will help us bolster our backline”, Miami’s Director of Sports and Head of the Soccer Department Chris Henderson remarked.</p>



<h2>Inter Miami needed new defender</h2>



<p>The young center-back stated in a statement, “This is an exciting opportunity for me and I can’t wait to represent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-miami-tv-schedule/">Inter Miami</a>. I will do anything I can to support this team and see it through to success.”</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oficial✍🇦🇷 Bienvenido, Toto!<br><br>We have signed defender Tomás Avilés to a contract running through the 2026 season. The center back joins the Club from Argentine side Racing Club as part of MLS’ U-22 initiative. Find out all the details: <a href="https://t.co/WremuEwCWX">https://t.co/WremuEwCWX</a> <a href="https://t.co/6zX4f46mk9">pic.twitter.com/6zX4f46mk9</a></p>— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) <a href="https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF/status/1686498924939329536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Defense has been Tata Martino’s side’s Achilles heel, so this deal couldn’t have come at a better time. They had previously lost two key defensive players, Franco Negri and Ian Fray, to injury.</p>



<h5>Who is Tomas Aviles?</h5>



<p>Aviles debuted for Racing Club, an Argentine club, just seven months ago. He’s played in 20 games and contributed once. Aviles has also played for both the Argentina and Chilean national teams, starting five games overall.</p>



<p>During the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he played a significant role in the Argentine U-20 squad, starting two games. Meanwhile, at the 2023 CONMEBOL U-20 South American Championship, he scored three goals for Chile’s U-20 team.</p>



<p>Both he and 20-year-old midfielder Facundo Farias, who <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/inter-miami-transfer-facundo-farias-to-award-messi-20230715-WST-443586.html">joined Inter Miami last week</a>, are the latest Argentines to call Miami home. Just like Aviles, Farias is using one of the international roster slots that the club acquired in a deal with the San Jose Earthquakes last week. By prioritizing the development of young players, the club is showing that it is committed to the long term and is serious about building a strong squad.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Agencia-MexSport</em></p>


The recent purchase of a promising young Argentine defender demonstrates the determination for Inter Miami to improve its squad.

Messi's side Inter Miami adds young defender amid injury woes

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Video: Tomas Aviles gets red card after being assisted by Messi in first MLS goal for Inter Miami vs. NYC FC

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