With all the excitment and hype all coming to a head with New York City FC and Inter Miami taking to the field in Florida for the first match of the 2025 MLS Season.
There were a ton of questions surrounding the Boys in Blue as the season was coming to a start, including the fact of how the team was going to look without Santi Rodriguez being a part of the roster.
Just moments before the match it was announced by New York City FC that Santi was going to get himself a chance to play overseas, as the midfielder is now going to be a member of Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas.
With much pride, optimisim and hope though the 2025 edition of the squad went up against an ultra tough Miami and at the conclusion wound up with a 2-2 tie after an incredible night of action.
Things all started at the 5′ as Tomás Avilés got the scoring and momentum in favor of Miami, with a goal from the left foot from the center of the box.
From there it was a combination of defense along with some stellar saves by Matt Freese that helped to keep the team in the game.
In fact the guys were able to gain so much momentum that in the 26′ they were in fact able to find the equalizer as Mitja Ilenič scored on a right footed shot from the center of the box.
Mitja and Coach Jansen shared these thoughts after the team’s 2-2 tie against Inter Miami and this video is Compliments of New York City FC:
For Mitja, he was able to score his second goal with the franchise, as the first came on October 2, 2024 against FC Cincinnati.
It was all about defense and both squads trying to solve the question as to what would happen next, as at the half both the squads went into the locker room with a tie.
After resuming play after the breather, it was NYCFC now that had the momentum thanks to a goal by Alonso Martínez in the 55′. Alonso, being highlighted as the player to watch for on the Apple TV broadcast, did not disappoint them or the followers and supporters by providing a highlight reel play to give the team the lead.
From there it was all about trying to preserve that lead and getting those vital few points on the road for the Boys in Blue, as the guys worked hard to keep that lead.
Ulimately though it was Miami and a goal by Telasco Segovia at the 90+10′ that ended the match with a 2-2 score.
There were a ton of other positives and things to build upon as the team now refocuess on the next match in California.
Some of those positives included the fact that homegrown talent Johnny Shore and Nico Cavallo came in during the course of the night and saw the first minutes with the franchise.
In addition the team saw some tremendous play from Freese in the goalkeepers position. There was in fact a scary moment for Matt in the second half of play, which saw him recover and finish the night with him denying four goal-scoring opportunities.
That is going to be one of the many questions on the mind of the supporters along with what is Coach Jansen going to do to help the squad in the team’s next match against LAFC.
The match against LAFC is coming up quickly as the two franchises are going to play on March 1 at BMO Stadium with the action to be played at 10:30 pm. For anyone wanting to catch all the action they can do so on Apple TV.
For more information on New York City FC fans are encouraged to click on the link below: