Miami, FL
Inter Miami falls 4-1 to Minnesota United, biggest loss with Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was powerless to prevent Inter Miami from slipping to its biggest defeat in MLS play since his arrival in North America, falling 4-1 at Minnesota United on Saturday.
Previously, there had only been one two-goal defeat with Messi, a 1-3 home loss to Atlanta United in May last year.
Messi got on the scoresheet early in the second half, but it made little difference, with Miami already two goals behind by that point. Worse was to follow, with United adding two more midway through the half and running out a dominant victor.
Given Minnesota’s strong start to the season, this was never expected to be an easy road game for the Argentinean World Cup winner and his colleagues, but even so, the size of the margin was a surprise, even given Miami’s recent difficulties. In the Messi era, Miami’s previous biggest MLS defeat had been a two-goal margin.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane got things going for the hosts after 32 minutes, striking successfully from close range after being set up by fine movement from Carlos Harvey and Joaquín Pereyra.
In first-half stoppage time, Anthony Markanich nodded home the second, courtesy of a long throw into the area and a flick on, plus some sleepy Miami defending.
Inter Miami’s hopes of a revival briefly flickered when Messi scored after the break, collecting the ball from Jordi Alba and finding a sliver of space in the penalty, before bouncing a shot into the corner of the Minnesota net.
But Marcelo Weigandt snuffed out those ambitions with an own goal at 68 minutes. The unfortunate defender embarrassingly turned the ball into his own net as confusion reigned following a free-kick from the left.
By now, Inter was fully rattled, and Robin Lod provided the final blow two minutes later, clipping home a clinical finish from the edge of the area to establish the three-goal buffer.
Over the past month, the Florida side has won just two of seven games, one of those coming on the road at the surging Columbus Crew. Mixed in were a pair of defeats to Vancouver in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, a home setback to FC Dallas and Saturday’s embarrassment.
Luis Suárez was missing for Miami, for whom head coach Javier Mascherano was unable to find any significant way to cause problems for the Minnesota backline.
Messi and company must now try to regroup on Wednesday with a visit to the San Jose Earthquakes, coached by former men’s national team chief Bruce Arena. This reverse means Miami sits down in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings after 11 games.
(Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / Imagn Images)
Miami, FL
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Venezuela resume Thursday at Miami International Airport for first time in seven years
Excitement is building at Miami International Airport as American Airlines is set to resume nonstop flights from the United States to Venezuela for the first time in seven years on Thursday morning.
This comes after the U.S. carrier suspended service to the South American country citing diplomatic fallout between the two nations.
The first flight from MIA to Caracas (CSS) is set to depart at 10:15 a.m. and is being operated by Envoy Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, and a second daily flight between MIA and CSS is expected to begin in less than a month on May 21.
The announcement that these flights would resume is a significant step in the normalization of relations between the United States and Venezuela following the January capture of former president Nicolás Maduro.
The flights to Venezuela were halted in 2019 after the U.S. Department of State issued warnings about crime and the detention of American citizens.
Tickets for the inaugural flight on Thursday morning are sold out, and roundtrip tickets for flights in May are priced between $1,500 to $4,000.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made comments about the flights at an industry forum on Wednesday.
“I know that there’s a lot of people in Florida who can’t wait to go back to their homeland,” he said. “To go back to see their families. And they couldn’t make that happen. And by way of the President saying, “No, we’re going to fly back to Venezuela,’ and Robert saying, ‘Well, I want American to fly back to Venezuela,’ the meaning that that has for people, the way that you touch people’s hearts, in a profound way, I think, sometimes we don’t realize.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at Miami International Airport before the flight on Thursday morning, with several officials expected to speak about the historic event.
Miami, FL
Braxton Berrios, Bethenny Frankel and more stars hit Gaia Miami’s opening
Dubai has landed in Miami.
Fundamental Hospitality — the UAE-born powerhouse behind hot spots like Shanghai Me, Alaya, and La Maison Ani — quietly previewed its first US outpost in Miami this weekend.
Stars like Bethenny Frankel, Braxton Berrios and Larsa Pippen attended the four-night preview of Gaia Miami last Thursday to Sunday, a source told Page Six.
We’re told partners Evgeny Kuzin and Izu Ani “rolled out the red carpet” for a handpicked group of the coastal-Floridian city’s most influential names for a first look ahead of the official opening later this week.
To kick things off, the Mayor of Miami Beach, Steven Meiner, led a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Inside, the scene leaned more private members club than restaurant preview,” the source said.
We’re told couples Kevin and Kate Love and David Lee and Caroline Wozniacki dined alongside NBA icon Pat Riley and NFL standout Jon Vilma.
Claire Holt was seen arriving with her fiancé, developer Andrew Joblon, alongside real estate bigwig Alex Witkoff.
Housewives spotted dining throughout the soft launch included Bethenny Frankel, Kiki Barth, Alexia Nepola and Pippen — who wore an eye-catching gold dress for the occasion.
Frankel even took to Instagram to give a rave review for the restaurant, calling it “the best restaurant in Miami.”
The starry guest list included developer Jorge Perez, Major Food Group co-founders Jeff Zalaznick and Mario Carbone, nightlife mainstay Chris Paciello, branding mogul Steve Stoute and architect Kobi Karp.
Influencer Jonathan “Foodgod” Cheban also dined there and took to social media to share his experience at the new eatery, writing in the caption, “Good luck getting in.”
Some of the city’s biggest business heavyweights were also in tow, including Dave Grutman and his wife Isabela, and Pura Vida founders Omer and Jennifer Horev.
The menu includes fresh Mediterranean dishes like tuna with truffle, tuna tartar with caviar, watermelon salad, Greek salad, baked feta cheese, Greek-style meatballs and lobster pasta.
As for desserts, patrons can indulge in fried Greek doughnuts, Gia cheesecake, filo mille feuilles, coconut cake, the “Dirty Cookie” with toasted hazelnut, pralines and tahiti vanilla ice cream.
Miami, FL
Highway 41 fire burns thousands of acres, threatens structures in west Miami-Dade
A wildfire is still burning in the Everglades Wednesday as firefighters work to control the flames threatening structures in western Miami-Dade.
The Highway 41 fire, named for its proximity to U.S. 41, has grown to 5,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday night, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It broke out at around 5 p.m. Monday.
Eight structures were threatened by the fire, but no evacuation orders were issued and no injuries have been reported, officials said.
The fire is burning further from Tamiami Trail than it was Tuesday, but drivers headed west from Miami will be able to see flames west of the Miccosukee Resort and Casino and Krome Avenue. The roadway remains open.
Fire response
The U.S. Forest Service reports that 48 personnel have been assigned to the blaze, along with five fire engines, four helicopters, and two fixed-wing aircraft. Officials said Tuesday that at least one USDA Forest Service engine from Arkansas supported the initial suppression efforts.
Crews were seen fighting the fire by air, making multiple runs to dump water onto the flames.
Firefighting efforts have cost approximately $750,000 so far.
The cause of the blaze remains undetermined.
Will I see smoke from the Highway 41 fire?
Northeast winds are keeping the smoke away from highly populated areas—for now.
“However, winds are changing here over the next day to two, and that could move the smoke around,” NBC6 meteorologist Adam Berg said.
By Thursday morning, more smoke may be blown east.
The National Weather Service advises residents to:
- exercise caution while driving if smoke reduces visibility
- monitor local air quality
- if sensitive to particle pollution, reduce time outdoors
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