Lionel Messi watches Inter Miami draw 1-1 against New York City FC at home from the sideline… as Argentine star misses sixth straight game with hamstring injury

Lionel Messi watched from the sideline as his Inter Miami side split points with New York City FC on Saturday night.

The game was tied at 1-1 at the intermission as both teams both struggled to find their rhythm offensively. At the end of 90 minutes and change, neither side secured a clincher to leave Chase Stadium with three points.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 15th minute with his fifth goal of the season. Julian Gressel provided the assist with a cross from a freekick to find the Uruguayan for the header past Matt Freese.

NYCFC would equalize in the 34th with Alonso Martinez’s right-footed strike slotting past Drake Callender. The goal marked Martinez’s first in MLS in his first start for NYCFC.

New York City FC entered the game with a 1-0-4 record, coming off a narrow 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati. The Pigeons’ lone win this season came in a 2-1 showing against Toronto FC.

Luis Suarez scored a header from a set piece to put Inter Miami up 1-0 in the 15th minute 

NYCFC was also in a five-way tie for the worst-scoring team in MLS with only four goals.

On the other hand, Inter Miami entered Saturday’s meeting with a 3-1-2 record. The Herons have been without Messi for six games now with the Argentine tending to a right hamstring injury.

Miami looked to bounce back after suffering their first scoreless loss on the receiving end of a 4-0 beating in the hands of the New York Red Bulls.

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