Lionel Messi Scores After Father’s Death as Miami Draw
Lionel Messi scored his first goal since his father Jorge’s death as Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Philadelphia Union. Messi struck in the 26th minute, taking his MLS tally to 13 goals. Philadelphia responded through Indiana Vassilev and Neil Pierre.
Miami have now gone four games without a win and sit seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.
In the latest MLS action, Lionel Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi, as Inter Miami were held to a 2-2 draw by Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. Messi gave Miami a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute with a trademark curling left footed shot into the far corner. He kept his celebration subdued and pointed toward the sky in tribute to his late father.
Miami had taken the lead five minutes earlier when Daniel Pinter finished from close range after Luis Suarez created the opportunity. Philadelphia responded through Indiana Vassilev in the 11th minute and Neil Pierre in the 58th minute. The result extended Miami's winless run to 4 matches, leaving them 7 points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville. Messi now has 13 MLS goals, placing him second in the scoring chart, 3 behind Peter Musa.
Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski scored the winning penalty as Chicago Fire defeated Orlando City 2-1. The victory marked Chicago's 6th consecutive win and moved them to 3rd in the Eastern Conference, 4 points behind Miami with a game in hand. Antoine Griezmann hit the post while chasing an equalizer for Orlando.