Inter Miami vs Philadelphia – Inter Miami CF showed true “soul and fight” on Saturday night at Subaru Park, clawing back from a two-goal deficit to earn a dramatic 3–3 draw against the Philadelphia Union. Trailing 2–0 at halftime, Miami’s head coach Javier Mascherano lined up a stirring speech that sparked a second-half revival. Lionel Messi’s free kick and late assist helped erase the Union’s lead, showcasing Miami’s unwavering character.
First Half: Union’s Early Control
From the opening whistle, Philadelphia looked sharp. Homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a thunderous strike from the top of the box. Kai Wagner’s short corner set him up perfectly, and Sullivan’s shot left Inter Miami keeper Oscar Ustari with no chance.
As the clock ticked toward halftime, Tai Baribo extended the Union’s lead. In the 44th minute, a frantic scramble in the box ended with Mikael Uhre teeing up Baribo for his 12th goal of the season. The Union went into the break up 2–0, having dominated possession and chances.
Halftime Turnaround: Mascherano’s Rallying Cry
In the locker room, Mascherano told his players to forget the result and focus on playing their style of soccer. “The only way to see the sun is to give everything and forget the result,” he said. He stressed ball movement from side to side and urged them to play free.
- Mindset Shift: Miami stopped worrying about the score.
- Tactical Change: They pressed higher and moved the ball faster.
- Renewed Energy: Every player seemed recharged for the second half.
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Second Half: A Stunning Miami Revival
Inter Miami emerged transformed. In the 60th minute, Noah Allen’s cross found Tadeo Allende, whose powerful header made it 2–1. The goal injected life into Miami and forced Philadelphia to regroup.
Barely 13 minutes later, however, Baribo struck again for the Union. A long throw-in and a fortunate deflection gave him space to slot home his second goal. Just like that, it was 3–1, and the sold-out crowd thought the Union had stamped their authority.
But Messi had other ideas. In the 87th minute, he curled a trademark free kick from the top of the area past young keeper Andrew Rick. The stadium erupted as Messi celebrated, breathing fresh hope into the Herons’ push for results in MLS.
Then, in second-half stoppage time, Telasco Segovia wrapped up the comeback. Messi’s quick pass set Segovia free, and he finished clinically in the 95th minute to level the score at 3–3. The Inter Miami bench poured onto the field, and fans chanted with delight at the unexpected draw.
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Mascherano’s Frustrations and Miami’s Resilience
Mascherano felt Miami was unlucky with Philadelphia’s third goal. He pointed to a clear offside that VAR missed. “We cannot watch it on our tablet,” he said. “The lateral camera was very clear.” Yet he praised his players’ spirit. “They showed character, personality. They wanted to fight and get out of this situation,” he added.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Philadelphia Union will head to Toronto FC on Wednesday, starting a crucial road trip. Their early season form has them atop the Eastern Conference, but these dropped points could prove costly if rivals like Cincinnati win.
Inter Miami returns home to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday to face CF Montreal. They seek to build on the momentum from this spirited comeback.
Key Performers
- Quinn Sullivan (PHI): 7′ screamer for 1–0
- Tai Baribo (PHI): 44′ and 73′, Golden Boot contender with 13 goals
- Tadeo Allende (MIA): 60′ header sparks comeback
- Lionel Messi (MIA): 87′ free kick, 95′ assist—game-changing heroics
- Telasco Segovia (MIA): 90’+5′ stoppage-time equalizer
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4–4–2): Rick; Makhanya, Glesnes, Wagner, Harriel; Lukic, Jean Jacques, Vassilev (Damiani 75′); Sullivan (Westfield 87′), Baribo, Uhre (Bueno 63′)
Inter Miami CF (4–4–2): Ustari; Lujan (Picault 78′), Aviles (Weigandt 61′), Allen, Fray (Segovia 61′); Busquets, Bright (Redondo 40′), Alba; Allende, Suarez, Messi
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