Lionel Messi’s The magnificent goal in the second half was not enough Inter Miami MLS supporters’ hopes of regaining the shield were hit for a 2-2 draw against Eastern Conference leader Nashville SC at Nu Stadium on Saturday night.
Messi scored with a powerful left-footed curling goal in the second half, but Sam Surridge had the final say with a dramatic injury-time equalizer as Nashville maintained their nine-point lead at the top of the table.
Surridge had earlier given Nashville the lead only for visiting defender Reed Baker-Whiting to head Messi’s corner into his own net in the 19th minute.
The Argentine superstar was a constant threat and had two more chances to make it 2-1 before the break. His first effort was blocked and the second, a free-kick from outside the area, flew wide.
He found the back of the net just after the hour, exchanging passes with Rodrigo De Paul, before placing his shot past Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake. It was Messi’s 19th goal of the season, putting him one ahead of FC Dallas’ Petar Musa in the race for the Golden Boot.
Surridge has the final say in denying Messi and Miami
Schwake kept his team in the contest, tipping Messi’s shot onto the post, before Nashville defender Jeisson Palacios produced a brilliant header at the last ditch to deny him again.
And Nashville struck later when Surridge intervened after Shak Mohammed’s shot was put into his path by home goalkeeper Dayne St Clair.
There was still time for De Paul to hit the post but Nashville held on. The draw means Miami, who claimed the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions.
Defender Facunda Mura said: “Obviously there’s frustration, feeling like we were the better team only to take the three points in the last moments. But there’s also the feeling that the team managed to keep possession and create scoring chances.
“We have to improve so that we don’t have to score so many goals just to get the win; we have to feel a bit more confident at the back and stop conceding, so that the goals we score are enough.”
Guillermo Hoyos continues to lead the team as Miami awaits the work visa for new coach Kily Gonzalez. Hoyos is likely to be in charge again in Wednesday night’s Champions Cup clash with Mexico’s Cruz Azul.
“We have great players and we have to compete for every trophy we play,” added Mura. “Unfortunately, things didn’t go our way in either the CONCACAF Champions Cup or the League Cup. We didn’t get the results we wanted, we know that, but ultimately, we’re here to keep working and keep growing.
“We are starting a new phase with a new coach, and we all know that we have to give more to help the team improve and reach a higher level, especially because in just four days we have a final that we really want to win.”
Western Conference
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position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: Round of 16)
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position 8, 9: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: 1/16 final)
Eastern Conference
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position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: Round of 16)
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position 8, 9: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: 1/16 final)
Nashville advances as Messi hopes fade
While there was frustration for Miami, it was an excellent result for Nashville, who are now in pole position for silverware with just nine games left in the regular season.
“That was a great game by the boys tonight,” Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan said. “Two very good teams go head-to-head.
“I thought the game had a lot of intensity, a lot of physicality, a high level of play. Very proud of the group.”
Nashville will be back in action next Saturday when they take on the Chicago Fire at GEODIS Park.
