In the team’s second preseason game against FC Dallas, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s new acquisition Luis Suarez were blanked once more, although they did display flashes of their lethal chemistry from their time at Barcelona.

In front of just 32,211 spectators in the 92,100-seat stadium, Messi and Suarez played for almost an hour as the hosts defeated the visitors 1-0 at the rainy, sparsely crowded Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. Miami and El Salvador tied 0-0 in their first preseason game.

Lionel Messi was unable to score vs. FC Dallas as Inter Miami played at the Cotton Bowl

Suarez also missed a chance in the first half after being teed up by Messi over the top

Less than three minutes in, USA attacker Jesus Ferreira opened the score with a shot from approximately twelve yards out after Paul Arriola passed him in.

Despite the fact that it wasn’t shown on the scoreboard, Miami controlled the remainder of the half.

In the eighth minute, Messi made a bold Olimpico attempt that almost resulted in a goal, forcing Dallas goalie Maarten Paes to back off as the corner kick swung in.

Four minutes later, Dallas handed up the ball close to its goal, and the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner went close again.

With a sharp through pass down the middle, Sergio Busquets found his old Barcelona partner, but Messi’s low effort was blocked by Paes and rolled out for a corner.

Suarez soon began to cause problems for the Dallas defense as well.

Within the fifteenth minute, Messi found David Ruiz with a lovely diagonal pass that the 19-year-old deftly parried back for his new partner Suarez.

But Paes easily caught the Uruguyan’s scuffed shot. Ferreira was hurt shortly after and was allowed to leave the field.

Playing quarterback once more, Messi found Suarez just before halftime, but as he stretched for the ball, his partner volleyed wide.

Messi looked dissatisfied with Dallas’ Sebastien Ibeagha during halftime, perhaps addressing the defense. It was merely a warm-up for what will be a lengthy, high-flying preseason for Miami, but Messi was clearly taking it seriously.

It was Suarez’s second appearance for the club after debuting vs. El Salvador last week

Messi came close on several occasions but was thwarted by Dallas goalie Maarten Paes

Jesus Ferreira scored for Dallas in the third minute with a low attempt from inside the box

In the second half, Messi kept up the pressure on the Dallas goal, forcing Paes to deflect a half-volley from about thirty yards away.

Jordi Alba attempted a cross from the left shortly after, but Suarez was unable to cling onto it, and the action was eventually called offsides. Nevertheless, an MLS pundit felt that Suarez lacked energy despite his effort on the play.

Not long after the hour, a Robert Taylor backheel almost played Messi in, but Omar Gonzalez sniffed out the opportunity.

And in the 64th minute, Messi and Suarez left the game right away.

Within the 83rd minute, Dallas came dangerously close to doubling their lead, but goalie Drake Callender made a point-blank save to ensure the game ended 1-0.

For the next round of its preparations, Inter Miami will depart for Saudi Arabia after starting its preseason in the Americas against FC Dallas and El Salvador.

The Herons’ next match is against Al-Hilal on January 29. On February 1, they take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.