Inter Miami

Pizarro scores historic first Inter Miami goal, shocks D.C. United in second minute

Rodolfo Pizarro #10 of Inter Miami celebrates his goal against the D.C. United during the first half at Audi Field on March 7, 2020 in Washington, DC.
Rodolfo Pizarro #10 of Inter Miami celebrates his goal against the D.C. United during the first half at Audi Field on March 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. Getty Images

Mexican national team star Rodolfo Pizarro scored the historic first goal for Inter Miami inside the second minute, stunning home team D.C. United at Audi Field.

With the Miami Heat team watching from a stadium suite, Inter Miami took advantage of a misdirected pass by a D.C. defender in the opening minute, rookie forward Robbie Robinson made a nice run, passed to Scottish winger Lewis Morgan, who crossed it to an unmarked Pizarro, who tapped it in.

The 22,000-seat stadium grew silent, except for a small group of Miami supporters who celebrated the goal.

Miami, an expansion team playing its second game, is coming off a 1-0 season-opening loss at Los Angeles FC. Coach Diego Alonso made two lineup changes from the first week. He replaced starters Matias Pellegrini and Alvas Powell with Dylan Nealis and Andres Reyes, going for five defenders, with Nico Figal an option to join the attack.

The starting XI: GK Luis Robles, D Nealis, D Roman Torres, D Reyes, D Figal, D Ben Sweat, MF Victor Ulloa, MF Wil Trapp, MF Morgan, MF Pizarro, F Robinson.

Inter Miami’s home opener is Mar. 14 at 2:30 p.m. against Los Angeles FC.

This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 4:27 PM.

Michelle Kaufman
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman has covered 14 Olympics, six World Cups, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, NCAA Basketball Tournaments, NBA Playoffs, Super Bowls and has been the soccer writer and University of Miami basketball beat writer for 25 years. She was born in Frederick, Md., and grew up in Miami.
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