Inter Miami salvages 1-1 draw with DC United as Messi sits out with injury

Baltasar Rodriguez scored a 64th-minute equalizer for Inter Miami, securing a 1-1 draw against D.C. United in their Major League Soccer match on Saturday in Washington. The match took place without Inter Miami's injured superstar Lionel Messi.

D.C. United opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Jackson Hopkins, extending their winless run in MLS to 11 games. The result also marked the second consecutive draw for United and was the home debut of their new coach, Rene Weiler.

Both teams were missing key players: D.C. United was without top scorer Christian Benteke due to a one-game suspension for accumulated yellow cards, while Inter Miami made eight changes to their starting lineup from their previous Leagues Cup match. None of Miami's four former Barcelona players—Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez—started the game.

Busquets and Suárez came on as substitutes in the 55th and 63rd minutes, respectively, helping Miami dominate possession (65.5%) and create more chances, with 11 crosses compared to United's one. Miami next faces Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinal on Wednesday.