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Messi-less Inter Miami reopens its 2026 MLS campaign with horrendous own goal
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- Messi-less Inter Miami reopens its 2026 MLS campaign with horrendous own goal
Robert Lewandowski didn't score in his Major League Soccer debut with the Chicago Fire , but he did get a first-hand look at a very MLS moment.
That fútbol follies moment came courtesy of Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, who whiffed on a back pass from defender Ian Fray and the ball went into the back of his own net for an embarrassing own goal in the 18th minute.
The United States' wild and often-unpredictable domestic league was back in full action on Wednesday, July 22 , and to be fair, many of these athletes haven't played in a game in seven weeks, so there's bound to be some rust. Still, this looked very much like some ill-fated schoolyard kid trying their luck at kickball for the first time.
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Lewandowski, one of the world's premier strikers for nearly two decades, was ready to pounce on any misplayed pass, and perhaps his mere presence was enough to throw off Ríos Novo's concentration.
Despite the gaffe, Inter Miami was able to pull off a big 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire while playing without their star player, Lionel Messi , and his Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who are taking time off after playing in the World Cup final against Spain on July 19. Messi's former FC Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez had a brace, his first goal coming on a penalty kick and then a nifty go-ahead goal in the second half. However, it was 20-year-old midfielder Preston Plambeck who played the hero for Miami, scoring the winner in the 87th minute.
July 17: LAFC's Denis Bouanga (99) scores on a penalty kick against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. LAFC won the match, 3-0.
(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)
May 23: Nashville SC's Jeisson Palacios (4) scores a goal on a header past New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville won the match, 2-1.
(Alan Poizner, Imagn Images)
May 23: Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) makes the save against the New England Revolution at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte FC won the match, 1-0.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
May 16: FC Dallas' Samuel Sarver celebrates by drinking a beer that was thrown at him by fans after he scored a goal against the San Jose Earthquakesat PayPal Park. Sarver's stoppage-time goal gave FC Dallas a 3-2 victory.
(John Hefti, Imagn Images)
May 16: New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) dives for the ball in front of Red Bull New York's Julian Hall (16) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The matched ended in a 1-1 draw.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
May 13: The Seattle Sounders' Nouhou Tolo celebrates after an assist for a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Lumen Field. The Seattle Sounders won the match, 3-2.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
May 13: Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady gets control of the ball after a corner kick against DC United at Audi Field. Chicago won the match, 3-1.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)
May 13: CF Montreal's Wikelman Carmona (left) kicks away the ball from the Portland Timbers' Finn Surman during the first half at Saputo Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)
May 9: The Seattle Sounders' Daniel Musovski kicks the ball away from San Diego FC's Luca Bombino (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
May 9: FC Cincinnati's Nick Hagglund heads the ball as Charlotte FC's Morrison Agyemang pressures during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
May 3: New York City FC's Strahinja Tanasijević (19) jumps to head the ball during the first half against D.C. United at Citi Field. D.C. United won the match, 2-0.
(Mark Smith, Imagn Images)
May 2: Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau makes a save as Inter Miami's Luis Suárez (9) follows on the play during the first half at Miami Freedom Park. Orlando City rallied from a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 comeback victory.
(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)
May 2: Red Bull New York's Emil Forsberg (10) controls the ball against FC Dallas' Ramiro Benetti (17) and Shaq Moore (18) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. FC Dallas won the match, 2-0.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
April 26: The LA Galaxy's Marco Reus (18) jumps over Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Reus scored two goals as the Galaxy won the match, 2-1.
(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)
April 25: The Chicago Fire's Philip Zinckernagel (left) and Sporting Kansas City's Kwaku Agyabeng battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 5-0.
April 22: Houston Dynamo FC forward Ondrej Lingr (9) attempts to control the ball as San Diego FC's Osvald Soe (17) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
April 18: St. Louis City's Jeong Sang-bin slides for the ball possessed by the Seattle Sounders' Paul Rothrock during the second half at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 4-1.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
April 18: Colorado Rapids fans cheer during the match against Inter Miami at Empower Field at Mile High. A total of 75,824 fans attended the game played at the home of the NFL's Denver Broncos, marking the second-highest single-game attendance in MLS history (82,110 for LA Galaxy-LAFC at the Rose Bowl on July 4, 2023 is the most).
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
April 18: CF Montreal's Prince Owusu (9) plays the ball and as Red Bull New York's Dylan Nealis defends during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Montreal won the match, 4-1.
(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)
April 11: Sporting Kansas City's Stephen Afrifa (17) tries to head a shot on goal as the San Jose Earthquakes' Jack Jasinski (left) defends during the second half of the match at Children's Mercy Park. San Jose won the match, 3-1.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
April 11: D.C. United's Silvan Hefti (left) defends against the New England Revolution's Dor Turgeman during the second half at Gillette Stadium. New England won the match, 1-0.
(Paul Rutherford, Imagn Images)
April 11: FC Cincinnati's Tom Barlow heads the ball against Toronto FC during the first half at BMO Field. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
April 4: Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon reacts after a play against Austin FC during the second half at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami drew 2-2 against Austin FC in the inaugural game at Nu Stadium in Miami.
April 4: The Chicago Fire's Maren Haile-Selassie (7) and Nashville SC's Maxwell Woledzi battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 1-0.
March 22: San Diego FC's Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL played to a 2-2 draw.
(Chadd Cady, Imagn Images)
March 21: St. Louis City's Simon Becher (11) tackles the ball away from the New England Revolutio'ns Matt Polster at Energizer Park. St. Louis City won the match, 3-1.
(Scott Rovak, Imagn Images)
March 21: Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC's Sam Surridge during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the match, 5-0.
March 21: Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran makes a play on the ball in front of Columbus Crew forward Jamal Thiaré (during the second half at BMO Field. TFC won the match, 2-1.
(Kevin Sousa, Imagn Images)
March 15: The Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathías Laborda (2) scores against the Minnesota United en route to a 6-0 rout of Minnesota at BC Place.
(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)
March 14: San Diego FC's Jeppe Tverskov (6) heads the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
March 7: A tifo is seen before the game between the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
March 1: Inter Miami's German Berterame controls the ball against Orlando City during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-2 .
Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo's Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. LAFC won the match, 2-0.
Feb. 28: The Chicago Fire's Jonathan Dean (24) and CF Montrea's Hennadii Synchuk battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 3-0.
(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)
Feb. 22: The Seattle Sounders' Paul Rothrock celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 2-0.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela (center) has his shot blocked by Atlanta United's Elias Baez(left) during the first half at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the match, 2-0.
(Kareem Elgazzar, Imagn Images)
Feb. 21: Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) reaches for the ball against Real Salt Lake during the second half at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 1-0.
(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)
Feb. 21: Fans watch during the national anthem before the game between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC won the game, 3-0 , knocking off the defending MLS champs.
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 17: LAFC's Denis Bouanga (99) scores on a penalty kick against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. LAFC won the match, 3-0.
(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 17: LAFC's Denis Bouanga (99) scores on a penalty kick against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. LAFC won the match, 3-0.
(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 23: Nashville SC's Jeisson Palacios (4) scores a goal on a header past New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville won the match, 2-1.
(Alan Poizner, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 23: Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) makes the save against the New England Revolution at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte FC won the match, 1-0.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 16: FC Dallas' Samuel Sarver celebrates by drinking a beer that was thrown at him by fans after he scored a goal against the San Jose Earthquakesat PayPal Park. Sarver's stoppage-time goal gave FC Dallas a 3-2 victory.
(John Hefti, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 16: New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) dives for the ball in front of Red Bull New York's Julian Hall (16) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The matched ended in a 1-1 draw.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 13: The Seattle Sounders' Nouhou Tolo celebrates after an assist for a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Lumen Field. The Seattle Sounders won the match, 3-2.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 13: Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady gets control of the ball after a corner kick against DC United at Audi Field. Chicago won the match, 3-1.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)
8
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 13: CF Montreal's Wikelman Carmona (left) kicks away the ball from the Portland Timbers' Finn Surman during the first half at Saputo Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)
9
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 9: The Seattle Sounders' Daniel Musovski kicks the ball away from San Diego FC's Luca Bombino (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
10
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 9: FC Cincinnati's Nick Hagglund heads the ball as Charlotte FC's Morrison Agyemang pressures during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 3: New York City FC's Strahinja Tanasijević (19) jumps to head the ball during the first half against D.C. United at Citi Field. D.C. United won the match, 2-0.
(Mark Smith, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 2: Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau makes a save as Inter Miami's Luis Suárez (9) follows on the play during the first half at Miami Freedom Park. Orlando City rallied from a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 comeback victory.
(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 2: Red Bull New York's Emil Forsberg (10) controls the ball against FC Dallas' Ramiro Benetti (17) and Shaq Moore (18) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. FC Dallas won the match, 2-0.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
14
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 26: The LA Galaxy's Marco Reus (18) jumps over Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Reus scored two goals as the Galaxy won the match, 2-1.
(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)
15
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: The Chicago Fire's Philip Zinckernagel (left) and Sporting Kansas City's Kwaku Agyabeng battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 5-0.
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 22: Houston Dynamo FC forward Ondrej Lingr (9) attempts to control the ball as San Diego FC's Osvald Soe (17) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
17
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 18: St. Louis City's Jeong Sang-bin slides for the ball possessed by the Seattle Sounders' Paul Rothrock during the second half at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 4-1.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
18
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 18: Colorado Rapids fans cheer during the match against Inter Miami at Empower Field at Mile High. A total of 75,824 fans attended the game played at the home of the NFL's Denver Broncos, marking the second-highest single-game attendance in MLS history (82,110 for LA Galaxy-LAFC at the Rose Bowl on July 4, 2023 is the most).
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
19
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 18: CF Montreal's Prince Owusu (9) plays the ball and as Red Bull New York's Dylan Nealis defends during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Montreal won the match, 4-1.
(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 11: Sporting Kansas City's Stephen Afrifa (17) tries to head a shot on goal as the San Jose Earthquakes' Jack Jasinski (left) defends during the second half of the match at Children's Mercy Park. San Jose won the match, 3-1.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 11: D.C. United's Silvan Hefti (left) defends against the New England Revolution's Dor Turgeman during the second half at Gillette Stadium. New England won the match, 1-0.
(Paul Rutherford, Imagn Images)
22
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 11: FC Cincinnati's Tom Barlow heads the ball against Toronto FC during the first half at BMO Field. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 4: Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon reacts after a play against Austin FC during the second half at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami drew 2-2 against Austin FC in the inaugural game at Nu Stadium in Miami.
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 4: The Chicago Fire's Maren Haile-Selassie (7) and Nashville SC's Maxwell Woledzi battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 1-0.
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 22: San Diego FC's Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL played to a 2-2 draw.
(Chadd Cady, Imagn Images)
26
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: St. Louis City's Simon Becher (11) tackles the ball away from the New England Revolutio'ns Matt Polster at Energizer Park. St. Louis City won the match, 3-1.
(Scott Rovak, Imagn Images)
27
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC's Sam Surridge during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the match, 5-0.
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran makes a play on the ball in front of Columbus Crew forward Jamal Thiaré (during the second half at BMO Field. TFC won the match, 2-1.
(Kevin Sousa, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 15: The Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathías Laborda (2) scores against the Minnesota United en route to a 6-0 rout of Minnesota at BC Place.
(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: San Diego FC's Jeppe Tverskov (6) heads the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 7: A tifo is seen before the game between the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 1: Inter Miami's German Berterame controls the ball against Orlando City during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-2 .
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo's Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. LAFC won the match, 2-0.
34
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 28: The Chicago Fire's Jonathan Dean (24) and CF Montrea's Hennadii Synchuk battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 3-0.
(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 22: The Seattle Sounders' Paul Rothrock celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 2-0.
(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)
36
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati's Gerardo Valenzuela (center) has his shot blocked by Atlanta United's Elias Baez(left) during the first half at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the match, 2-0.
(Kareem Elgazzar, Imagn Images)
37
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 21: Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) reaches for the ball against Real Salt Lake during the second half at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 1-0.
(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)
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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
Feb. 21: Fans watch during the national anthem before the game between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC won the game, 3-0 , knocking off the defending MLS champs.
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire highlights
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi-less Inter Miami reopens its 2026 MLS campaign with horrendous own goal
