New York Red Bulls 4-0 Inter Miami: Lewis Morgan comes back to haunt his former club as ex-Miami forward nets stunning hat-trick to condemn Lionel Messi-less visitors to second defeat of the season

A few miles east of the city that never sleeps, it was a sluggish Inter Miami backline that was caught napping as Lewis Morgan’s hat-trick inspired the New York Red Bulls to a 4-0 win over his former employers.

On a soaking, soggy day in Harrison, New Jersey, it only took three minutes for Morgan, who spent two seasons in Miami before heading here, to come back to haunt his old side following a delightful link-up with strike partner Dante Vanzeir.

When Dylan Nealis sent a long ball forward, a clever flick on from Vanzeir released Morgan on the edge of the area. Sergii Kryvtsov quickly tried to close the Scot down, but after taking one touch out of his feet he sent a right-footed effort trickling into the bottom-left corner. 

Miami’s young backup goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos, standing in for Drake Callender with the team’s No 1 away on international duty with USMNT, will certainly feel he could have done better.

As torrential rain continued to fall here in New Jersey, the quality of play throughout the first half was very much reflective of the wet and slippery conditions which made life even more difficult for two depleted teams. Far too many passes were scuffed astray. Crosses were sent high and wayward. Few shots managed to hit the target.

Even the great Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez could not work their usual magic on a sodden field. In the 16th minute, Busquets twisted and turned in the middle of the park before hitting a pass intended for Jordi Alba straight out of play. 

Shortly after, some neat interplay between Busquets and Alba again eventually brought the ball to Suarez, who couldn’t get it out of his feet on the edge of the box as an encouraging attack fell by the wayside.

It was seconds later that Miami were presented with their finest chance of the afternoon. Yet unfortunately for head coach Tata Martino, that chance fell to Alba, a defender not known for his goalscoring prowess.

After a looping pass over the top found Suarez, a brief game of pinball ensued before the ball worked its way to Alba in acres of space on the left. Yet the left back, leaning back while pulling the trigger, instead saw his effort sail over the crossbar. A golden opportunity to level proceedings had passed him by.

Miami began to up the ante at the halfway stage of the first half, and it was around that time that an animated Suarez, in true fashion, also went into the book for dissent. They do say a leopard never changes its spots…

Though while the fiery Uruguayan may have been up to his old tricks, moments later he failed to live up to his billing as one of the greatest center forwards of his generation when he squandered another decent opening for the visitors. 

Robbie Taylor first dispossessed Kyle Duncan inside the box, before the ball dropped to Suarez, who teed himself up on his weaker left foot and sent his effort well past the post.

Just as it seemed Miami were growing into this game, though, Red Bulls regained a foothold on proceedings and came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage with two big chances, which both fell to Vanzeir.

A similar piece of slick build-up play to the opener saw Morgan flick the ball on to Vanzeir at a tight angle in the box, yet after failing to connect properly his attempt trickled wide of the post.

The second saw the Belgian, dangerous in the final third if lacking end product, latch onto a long ball forward and out-strengthen Miami youngster Noah Allen, only to roll another shot wide after not squaring to teammate Dennis Gjengaar, who had the goal gaping.

Red Bulls boss Sandro Schwarz would have been lamenting his team’s inability to give themselves some breathing space at the close of the first half. Luckily for the German, Morgan was there to sting his old team once again at the start of the second.

When 19-year-old Miami defender Tomas Aviles gave the ball away cheaply, the brilliant Frankie Amaya picked it up in midfield for the hosts and found Vanzier, who teed up the ex-Miami man to lash it past Dos Santos and into the back of the net once more.

Amid relentless rainfall, the floodgates then opened for New York as Vanzeir’s third assist of the game put them out of sight. Yet again it was the devastating Morgan, so effective here against his old teammates, who made the most vital contribution. 

After just about keeping the ball in play, the 27-year-old brilliantly weaved his way past Sergii Kryvtsov down the left and picked out his fellow frontman. Vanzier then laid it on a plate for Wiki Carmona, 21, to stroke home and make it 3-0.

And 20 minutes from time, Morgan put the icing on the cake when he completed his hat-trick after yet more inventive play from Vanzeir, tucking the ball past Dos Santos for a third time to seal a four-goal rout over his former club.