Messi, Miami beaten by Dallas in pre-season friendly

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami slumped to a
1-0 defeat against FC Dallas in a pre-season friendly on Monday before the
team set off on a hectic international tour.

After a lacklustre 0-0 draw against El Salvador on Friday, Miami delivered
another performance to forget in wet, cold conditions at the Cotton Bowl
Stadium.

Argentine superstar Messi and former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez and
Sergio Busquets were all substituted after 64 minutes with Miami trailing 1-
0.

Messi created a handful of openings during his stint on the pitch, with his
best effort a rasping 30-yard volley that was parried by Dallas goalkeeper
Maarten Paes early in the second half.

The World Cup-winner almost created an opening goal for Suarez in the first
half, but the Uruguayan;s volley with the outside of his right boot rolled
wide.

Dallas, meanwhile, took the lead through Jesus Ferreira after just three
minutes, the US international striker holding off Miami defender Noah Allen
before drilling a low angled shot into the bottom corner past goalkeeper
Drake Callender.

Monday’s game was the second in a globe-trotting schedule of pre-season
friendlies for Miami as they prepare to kick off the new MLS season against
Real Salt Lake on February 21.

Following Monday’s game, the Florida club head to Saudi Arabia for a fixture
against Al-Hilal on January 29, and then face Al-Nassr on February 1 — a
game that should see Messi line up against old rival Cristiano Ronaldo once
more.

Miami then travel to Asia to play friendlies against a Hong Kong select team
in the Chinese territory on February 4, before taking on Japanese side Vissel
Kobe in Tokyo three days later.

The Herons return to the United States for a final pre-season game against
Argentine squad Newell’s Old Boys on February 15. (BSS/AFP)