Josef Martínez scores, makes MLS history becoming ninth all-time MLS goalscorer
MIAMI (July 1, 2023) – Inter Miami CF (5W-13L-1D, 16 points) earned a 1-1 draw with Austin FC at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday night. Heineken Star of the Match Josef Martínez scored the team’s goal on the night, making MLS history in the process.
“I’m proud and I’m happy with the way they played. If we continue to play that way, the results will come,” said Interim Head Coach Javier Morales. “We created a lot of good chances, we controlled the game, and we focused on those positive things and that’s important to us.”
Drake Callender started in goal; Robert Taylor, Ian Fray, Sergii Kryvtsov, Noah Allen lined up in defense; David Ruiz and Dixon Arroyo anchored the midfield with Benjamin Cremaschi, Rodolfo Pizarro and Robbie Robinson in front of them; Martínez spearheaded the attack.
Robinson registered his first start of the season on the night, while defenders Israel Boatwright and Tyler Hall again featured on the bench on short-term loan agreements from the Club’s MLS NEXT Pro team, Inter Miami CF II.
Inter Miami was active in possession from early in the match, but turned up the pressure just before halftime. The team created a trio of big chances just before the intermission, including a one-on-one chance for Martínez that drew a save from the Austin goalkeeper’s extended leg. The chance was quickly followed by a pair of powerful long-range shots from Fray and Robinson respectively, but both were saved, sending the game into halftime scoreless.
Inter Miami continued to build on its momentum to open the second half, netting the opener in the 47th minute; Cremaschi drove down the right wing and crossed to Martínez in the box, who calmly received the ball and struck past the keeper to net the opener. The goal marked more history for the team’s talisman, as it brought his MLS regular season tally up to 103, breaking the deadlock for ninth most in league history; the goal against Austin also marked the 27th different MLS club Martínez has scored against, the most in league history. The goal was also Martínez’s fifth of the season, the most on the team.
The team nearly scored again just two minutes later when Cremaschi’s first-time roulette freed him in the box, but his strike was saved, and follow ups from Martínez and Robinson were denied and off the mark, respectively.
Then, in the 51st minute, Austin leveled when a deflection found Nick Lima on the edge of the box and he finished to make it 1-1.
Inter Miami pushed for a winner throughout the remainder of the half, including notable chances from Cremaschi and second-half substitute Leonardo Campana, but the match ended tied, giving Inter Miami its first draw of the MLS season.
The team will return to action in just a few days, taking on the Columbus Crew in a Fourth of July matchup at DRV PNK Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
MIA – Josef Martínez (Benjamin Cremaschi, Robert Taylor) 47’
ATX – Nick Lima 51’
Misconduct Summary:
MIA – Robert Taylor (Yellow Card 45’+2), David Ruiz (Yellow Card 54’), Ian Fray (Yellow Card 67’), Noah Allen (Yellow Card 72’), Leonardo Campana (Yellow Card 90’+9)
ATX – Nick Lima (Yellow Card 90’+9)
Lineups / Substitutions:
Inter Miami CF – GK Drake Callender; D Robert Taylor (Chris McVey 75’), Ian Fray, Sergii Kryvtsov, Noah Allen; M David Ruiz, Dixon Arroyo; Benjamin Cremaschi, Rodolfo Pizarro (Leonardo Campana 63’), Robbie Robinson (Nicolás Stefanelli 75’); F Josef Martínez (Shanyder Borgelin 87’)
Unused Substitutes – GK dos Santos; D Israel Boatwright, Tyler Hall, Harvey Neville; M Edison Azcona
Austin FC – GK Brad Stuver; D Nick Lima, Julio Cascante, Alexander Ring (Kipp Keller 53’), Jon Gallagher; M Owen Wolff (Jhojan Valencia 81’), Daniel Pereira, Ethan Finlay (Adam Lundkvist 63’), Sebastián Driussi, Diego Fagundez (Emiliano Rigoni 63’); F Gyasi Zardes (Maximiliano Urruti 81’)
Unused Substitutes – GK Matt Bersano; D Hector Jimenez; M Rodney Redes; F Will Bruin
Details of the Game:
Date: July 1, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 17,053
Stats:
Possession:
MIA – 53.4%
ATX – 46.6%
Shots:
MIA – 18
ATX – 12
Saves:
MIA – 3
ATX – 7
Corners:
MIA – 2
ATX – 7
Fouls:
MIA – 16
ATX – 11
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