Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez could not help Inter Miami as Dallas FC thrashed them in a second pre-season friendly earlier this week.
At a rainy, sparsely-populated Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, Messi and Suarez played for roughly an hour as the hosts won 1-0 in front of just 32,211 fans in the 92,100-seat stadium.
Miami had played against El Salvador but could only garner a draw. They were expected to do better this time.
USA striker Jesus Ferreira opened the scoring less than three minutes in, as he lashed home a shot from about 12 yards to give Dallas FC the lead.
Messi nearly scored in the eighth minute from an audacious corner with the ball almost flying into the back of the net.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner came close once again just four minutes later as Dallas gave away the ball near its goal.
Messi found David Ruiz with a beautiful diagonal ball inside the 15th minute and the young lad pulled it back for Suarez to fire, but the Uruguay striker’s shot was poor.
Right before halftime, Messi again played quarterback and dropped a pass to Suarez over the top, but his teammate volleyed wide as he stretched for the ball.
Dallas nearly doubled its lead inside the 83rd minute, but a point-blank save from goalie Drake Callender ensured the game finished 1-0.
Inter Miami would be traveling to Saudi Arabia for the next leg of its preseason preparations.
