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Lionel Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father in a 2-2 MLS draw against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, but Inter Miami left Pennsylvania without the three points they needed.
Messi put Miami ahead 2-1 in the 26th minute with a curling left-footed strike into the far corner. After a restrained celebration, he allowed himself a brief smile before pointing both hands toward the sky.
He had also been the catalyst for Miami’s opener five minutes earlier, picking up Luis Suarez’s run down the left flank. The Uruguayan forward headed across for young American Daniel Pinter to finish at close range.
Philadelphia fought back on both occasions. Indiana Vassilev leveled in the 11th minute, and Neil Pierre grabbed the equalizer in the 58th to secure a share of the spoils for the hosts.
The 39-year-old now sits second on the MLS scoring chart with 13 goals, one behind FC Dallas striker Petar Musa. Messi had gone scoreless across Miami’s previous two matches following his return from Argentina after his father Jorge died on August 8th. In those games, Miami fell 3-2 to Leon and were eliminated from the Leagues Cup, then suffered a 4-1 MLS defeat to Nashville in which Messi missed a penalty.
Four games without a win has left Miami seven points adrift of Eastern Conference leaders Nashville, who beat New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Wednesday. The gap is significant with the MLS season deep into its second half, and Miami will need a sharp turnaround to stay in genuine contention.
Read also: Lionel Messi’s Father Jorge Messi Dies at 68
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