Inter Miami RFC extended its win streak to three games and snapped the New England Revolution’s eight-game unbeaten streak in the process.
Attacker Josef Martinez scored an historic goal in the 44th minute and Inter Miami secured a 2-1 victory over the Revolution on Saturday night at DVR PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Revolution (7-2-4) remain in a first-place tie with FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference.
“I think the way we started the game was disgraceful, falling behind by a goal in the first seven minutes of the game,” said Revolution head coach Bruce Arena. “The way some of our guys stepped onto the field was poor.
“I believe the game we gave away. We should not lose that game.”
Arena made only one change to the Starting XI that blanked Toronto 2-0 in the opening match of the three-game road swing. Latif Blessing started in the midfield on the left wing in place of Esmir Bajraktarevic in Arena’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Revs keeper Djordje Petrovic had made a fantastic save on IMFC attacker Leo Campana in the fifth minute only to get beaten by a lucky shot in the sixth.
Midfielder David Ruiz controlled a clear out off a corner kick just outside the box. Ruiz’ long shot deflected off the leg of center back Dave Romney deep in the penalty area and the deflection caught Petrovic out of position.
Revolution homegrown Noel Buck of Arlington scored with a spectacular individual effort in the 17th minute but, after a VAR review of the play, it was disallowed by referee Ismir Pekmic.
“The goal they called back was a good goal, he was not interfering with the goalkeeper,” said Arena. “It is amazing to me they would pull that goal back. I do not know what the VAR was thinking.”
Revolution midfielder Carles Gil tied the game 1-1 with a dazzling piece of footwork in the 26th minute. Matt Polster fed Gil at the top of the box and Gil immediately attracted a crowd. Gil weaved his way through four IMFC defenders and slipped it by keeper Drake Callender for his third of the season.
“Carles had an outstanding game,” said Arena. “That is what athletes do in any sport.”
IMFC went up 2-1 in the 44th minute on the 101st goal by Martinez in his MLS career. Martinez had Petrovic dead to rights and scored easily, moving into a tie with former Revs striker Taylor Twellman for 10th place in the MLS all-time scoring list.
After some anemic play in the second half, Arena made some key substitutions in the 67th, putting Giacomo Vrioni in for Wood along with Justin Rennicks and Bajraktarevic to spark the attack. Miami caught a break in the 76th when Ruiz committed his second yellow card foul on Gil but Pekmic issued it to Dixon Arroyo.
“He (Ruiz) could have broken Carles Gil’s leg and what can I say?” said Arena.
In a bizarre twist, Ruiz picked up a red card in the 77th minute, putting Miami down a man for the duration. The Revolution were relentless in stoppage time but could not score the equalizer.