Messi and Suárez Strike but Miami Held by San Diego
Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez were both on target, but Inter Miami suffered a setback in their pursuit of Eastern Conference leaders Nashville as Anders Dreyer’s brace earned San Diego a 2–2 draw in Florida on Sunday.
The team that won the MLS title year seemed to be on their way to winning after Suárez scored to put them in the lead in the 74th minute but then Dreyer scored late and that left Miami 11 points behind the top team with eight games left in the regular season.
Match highlight
San Diego surprised the people at Nu Stadium by getting the lead 12 minutes into the game. Jeppe Tverskov made a pass that broke through Miami’s defense and another player from Denmark, Dreyer made a soft shot over the goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
Miami answered by taking control of the ball and Messi scored to make it equal in the minute with another example of his great skill.
The Argentine made a shot from outside the penalty area that went through a group of players and hit the inside of the post before going into the net. This was his goal for the team and started a long period of pressure from Miami.
As San Diego was pushed back the home team created chances to win the game. Messi, Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul all had opportunities but the visitors kept the score even.
The first goal came with 16 minutes left in the game. De Paul made a pass to Suárez near the edge of the box and the 39-year-old player from Uruguay made a strong shot that gave Miami a well-earned 2-1 lead.
The team from Miami looked like they would win the game as the match got closer to the end. San Diego however found a way to come back through the group of Danish players that had scored the first goal.
Tverskov again passed to Dreyer with a ball over the top and the player stayed calm and scored, which made the home fans quiet.
There was still time for one problem for Miami. San Diego almost won the game with an attack during stoppage time but St. Clair stopped Kieran Sargeant and made sure the home team left with a draw.
For Miami the result was disappointing after they had controlled the game for a time. With Nashville 11 points ahead the space they have to make mistakes in the race, for first place is getting smaller.
