In a match played in Chester, Pennsylvania, Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union finished level at 2-2 on Wednesday night. Lionel Messi contributed a goal and an assist, helping his side earn a point.
Messi’s impact
Messi’s cross was headed by Luis Suárez to forward Daniel Pinter for Inter Miami’s opening goal in the 21st minute. Six minutes later, Messi cut inside on his favored left foot and curled a shot from 12 yards into the corner for his first goal since returning after his father’s funeral.
He now has 13 goals and nine assists in 17 MLS games this season, and six goals with four assists in six matches against the Union.
Union’s response
Indiana Vassilev gave the Union an early lead with a first‑half volley. Defender Neil Pierre equalized in the 58th minute, and a potential go‑ahead goal by Milan Iloski was disallowed after a review showed Pierre was offside in the buildup.
Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, at 16, earned his seventh assist of the season on Vassilev’s goal.
Late drama
Both teams received red cards in stoppage time after a scuffle off the ball, with Yannick Bright and Sullivan each ejected.
Team context
Inter Miami (11‑3‑6) entered the game in second place in the Eastern Conference after a 4‑1 loss to Nashville, where Messi missed a penalty, struck the post twice and assisted a goal. Miami had lost three straight matches in all competitions before this draw.
The Union (5‑10‑5) are unbeaten in their last five games under interim coach Ryan Richter. Rodrigo De Paul, a World Cup runner‑up teammate of Messi, was suspended for yellow‑card accumulation.
Earlier in the season, Inter Miami beat the Union 6‑4 on May 24, with Suárez scoring a hat trick.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
