Prior to the team’s arduous international journey, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami lost 1-0 to FC Dallas in a preseason friendly on Monday.
In damp, chilly circumstances at Cotton Bowl Stadium, Miami put on another forgettable show following Friday’s dull 0-0 stalemate with El Salvador.
After 64 minutes, with Miami behind 1-0, Argentine sensation Messi, along with former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, were all replaced.
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.
The match on Monday was the second of Miami’s world-tour preseason friendlies before they play Real Salt Lake on February 21 to begin the new Major League Soccer season.
After Monday’s match, the Florida team travels to Saudi Arabia to play Al-Hilal on January 29 and Al-Nassr on February 1. In both games, Messi is expected to meet his old nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo.
After that, on February 4, Miami will travel to Asia to play a friendly match against a Hong Kong select team in Chinese territory. Three days later, Miami will play Japanese team Vissel Kobe in Tokyo.
The Herons return to the United States for a final pre-season game against Argentine squad Newell’s Old Boys on February 15.
