Major League Soccer’s single-season points record chase was slowed down on Saturday when James Sands scored an injury-time equaliser for New York City FC, securing a 1-1 draw against the Eastern Conference leaders.
Lionel Messi helped set up Leonardo Campana’s goal in the 75th minute at Yankee Stadium, making it 1-0. Miami, who already knows they will be in the playoffs, looked like they were on their way to their 20th win of the season.
In the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, New York defender Sands jumped high to meet a corner kick from Santiago Rodriguez and hit a hard header into the net that went past Herons goalie Drake Callender. The away team was about to win.
The loss hurts Miami’s chances of beating New England’s record of 73 points scored in a single season, which was set in 2021.
With the draw, Miami has 64 points after 30 games. To tie the Revolution’s record, Gerardo Martino’s team needs to get nine points out of a possible 12, or they need to get ten points out of a possible 12 to beat it.
Even with the late equaliser, Miami didn’t have much to complain about since New York got a well-earned point in Saturday’s early game.
Early in the game, the home team could have easily taken the lead, but they missed a few shots that let Miami off the hook.
Messi looked lively right away, and his free kick from just outside the area in the fourth minute almost put the game away, but it went past the post.
New York, on the other hand, kept having the better chances. In the 11th minute, Rodriguez’s free kick hit the post and then Miami custodian Callender, sending the ball out for a corner.
In the 47th minute, Keaton Parks had a great chance to put New York ahead but shot wide with the goal right in front of him. This was a huge let-off for Miami.
On the 15th minute, it looked like Miami made New York pay for being wasteful. On the wing, Messi sent a pass out to Jordi Alba, who was free. The former Barcelona player set up Campana for a close-range goal.
There was a goal against the flow of play that seemed to have won it, but New York scored late on and got a corner. Rodriguez then sent in a perfect cross for Sands to head home.