Mar. 30, 2024 22:48 PM EST

Martínez Scores First Career Goal, Rallies Nycfc To 1-1 Draw With Inter Miami

New York City FC forward Malachi Jones (88) takes control of the ball from Inter Miami midfielder Tomás Aviles (6) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) Marta Lavandier, ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York City FC forward Malachi Jones (88) takes control of the ball from Inter Miami midfielder Tomás Aviles (6) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
New York City FC defender Strahinja Tanasijević (12) and midfielder Hannes Wolf take over the ball from Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, left, gestures after a call during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the New York City FC, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Teammates congratulate Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez after he scored a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the New York City FC, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
New York City FC midfielder Keaton Parks (55) and Inter Miami midfielder David Ruiz, left, go after the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Luis Suárez scored his fifth goal of the season for Inter Miami and Alonso Martínez scored the first of his career for New York City FC as the two clubs played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Suárez staked Inter Miami to a 1-0 lead just 15 minutes into the match, scoring on a header with an assist from Julian Gressel off a set piece. Suárez has also assisted on three goals as he continues to carry the scoring load with superstar teammate Lionel Messi out for the past three weeks with a muscle injury. Suárez is tied with the Los Angeles Galaxy's Dejan Joveljic and one behind Lewis Morgan of the New York Red Bulls for the early goals lead.

NYCFC pulled even by halftime when Martínez took a pass from Keaton Parks in the 34th minute and right footed a shot from the right side of the box to the center of the net. Martínez was making his first start and fifth appearance for NYCFC over the past two seasons.

Drake Callender totaled two saves for Inter Miami (3-2-2). Matt Freese saved five shots for NYCFC (1-4-1).

Inter Miami is hoping Messi will return Wednesday for a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series against Monterrey.

New York City returns home to play Atlanta United on Saturday. Inter Miami will host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday with Messi's status for that one also up in the air.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

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