Doug McIntyre
Football journalist
Lionel Messi and Intermiami lost yet another match on Saturday night, this time against the Philadelphia Union.
He was paced last year to score an MLS record and unbeaten in eight league matches to launch the 2025 campaign, before picking up another supporter shield as the regular season champion.
Miami’s sixth loss since April 27 seemed inevitable on Saturday in Chester, Pennsylvania.
However, Messi flipped the script over a normal time of just three minutes. First, the goat pulled Miami back inside one and made a ferocious free kick that defeated home Philadelphia teen goalkeeper Andrewrik.
The 2022 World Cup winner set the equalizer of Heron’s final gasp deep in the second half stop time, with an alternative Terracosegobia passing Messi’s pass at the top of the box and firing the ball past a helpless Rick.
Even if you have to worry about Miami’s first-year coach admitting it three times at Subaru Park, it has always felt like a guest’s victory, but single points were a key point for Javier Mascano’s part. Inter’s defense has been particularly porous throughout the season, especially recently, with only four of MLS’s 30 franchises allowing more goals than Miami’s 24 so far.
Messi & Co. You don’t have to wait long for your next chance to put these defensive issues right and win much needed victory. Miami returns to league play on Wednesday, with the Herons holding Eastern Conference Cellar residents CF Montreal at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Montreal has only one win in 2025.
After that match, Sagi has another MLS game before taking a midseason break to participate in FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup. Miami will begin a race with Egyptian Al Ahli at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins on June 14th.
Doug McIntyre is a football reporter for Fox Sports, who covered it. US Men’s and women’s national teams for the FIFA World Cup on five continents. Follow him @bydougmcintyre.
Get more from Lionel Messi Get information about games, news and more according to your favorites
