In a contest that pitted two of the top-six squads in MLS, the Philadelphia Union played host to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday evening at Subaru Park, looking for three crucial points to extend its Eastern Conference lead.
Miami and the Union exchanged goals back and forth, ultimately drawing 3-3.
Philadelphia started the match on the right foot, receiving back-to-back corner kicks. Ultimately, Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari turned both aside.
They always say the third time’s the charm. A corner taken by Kai Wagner found an open Quinn Sullivan, who unleashed a shot just outside the penalty area, beating Ustari to give the Union a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute.
Philadelphia keeper Andrew Rick continued to dominate in goal, stopping a big-time opportunity for Miami in the 16th as Noah Allen nearly found a cutting Tadeo Allende in the box.
Rick stood tall once again in the 30th minute as Allende found himself 1-on-1 with Rick. The two collided after the Bethesda, Maryland, native stonewalled the shot attempt.
Tai Baribo entered Saturday’s match with a league-leading 11 goals. His 12th could not have came at a better time as the Israel native roped a shot past Ustari, doubling Philadelphia’s lead to 2-0, right before halftime.
“I think he’s starting now to feel confident and also back himself,” Union coach Bradley Carnell said. “He has a team behind him that commits to him.”
It was all Philadelphia in the first 45 minutes as the Union came out firing in a high-stakes clash. The home side controlled possession, dictated the tempo, and made the most of their chances — burying two first-half goals to silence Miami’s star-studded attack. Philly’s intensity, energy, and execution left no doubt about who wanted it more heading into the break.
As the match resumed play in the second half, Miami was determined to find a way back into the game.
A corner taken by Messi, right in front of the Sons of Ben — Philadelphia’s supporters section — was batted around and eventually kicked out of danger.
Rick’s shutout bid came to a close in the 60th minute as Allende headed in a pass from Messi to Luis Suarez, cutting Philly’s lead to 2-1.
Lionel Messi surged up the left flank, turning on the jets after a Union corner and threading a pass to a wide-open Telasco Segovia, who headed it into the net.
But the celebration was short-lived —the goal was waved off as the offside flag went up.
The Union wasted no time answering back. Just seconds after the disallowed Miami goal, Baribo found himself in the right place at the right time, calmly slotting home his second of the night and 13th of the season in the 73rd minute.
The finish reignited the home crowd and swiftly reestablished Philadelphia’s two-goal advantage, shifting the momentum firmly back in their favor.
After being taken down just outside the penalty area in the 87th minute, Messi had his chance with a free kick.
The Argentinian and one of the world’s greatest soccer players delivered a ball that sailed past Rick and into the net, making it a tight race to the end and a 3-2 game.
A header from Segovia leveled the game at three, crushing the hearts of the Union faithful on hand at Subaru Park.
Despite an additional five minutes added to the 90-minute mark, the game ended in a draw.
“I think everyone saw a bit of everything tonight,” Carnell said. “The crowd was amazing.”
