DC United and Inter Miami shared honors in their MLS game played on Saturday night without their talisman Lionel Messi at the Audi Field stadium in Washington DC.
After defeating Tigres UANL 2-1 in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, Inter Miami (13-5-7, 46 points) was aiming for its third win in eight days.
DC United (4-15-9, 21 points) extended its run of MLS games without a win to 11 when Jackson Hopkins scored in the 13th minute. May 31 was the last time DC won.
In the home opener for new coach Rene Weiler, DC. United drew for the second time in a row.
Christian Benteke, DC’s leading scorer, was out due to a string of yellow cards that resulted in a one-game suspension.
With eight changes to its starting lineup from its Leagues Cup victory, Miami used a makeshift starting lineup in the middle of a hectic schedule. On Wednesday, the Herons will play Orlando City in a Leagues Cup semifinal.
Inter Miami left out the Barcelona Four—Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez—in their starting lineup despite their combination of 27 goals and 36 assists in MLS games this season.
In the 55th and 63rd minutes, respectively, Busquets and Suarez came on and helped Miami maintain control of the game’s momentum. The Herons had 11 crosses to one against DC and were in possession for 65.5% of the game.
Supporters in DC denied Messi the opportunity to be seen for the second consecutive year. Additionally, Messi missed Miami’s victory in Washington in March of last year due to a hamstring issue.
Miami’s record in MLS games Messi has missed this season is 2-2-2.
With a one-touch looping pass from Matti Pelota to his right, Hopkins gave DC the lead early on and set himself up for a right-footed blast from the middle of the penalty box, just inside the left post.
The 21-year-old scored his second goal of his career. A week ago, he scored his first goal in DC’s 1-1 draw with CF Montreal.
In the 64th minute, Miami scored a fantastic goal to tie the score. Rodriguez shot a right-footed, fading shot into the upper right corner from outside the penalty box.
After joining on loan from Argentine top-flight team Racing in March, it was Rodriguez’s first goal.
For D.C., Luis Barraza recorded two saves, while for Miami, Rocco Rios Novo recorded one.