Inter Miami Settle for Draw as Nashville Grabs Late Stoppage Point

Late equalizer shocks Miami

Lionel Messi scored his 19th MLS goal of the season, but Inter Miami had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC on Saturday. Sam Surridge scored in the first minute of added time to snatch a point for the visitors in South Florida.

Surridge had opened the scoring just four minutes into the match. Miami equalized in the 19th minute when an inswinging corner from Messi deflected into the net off the head of Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting.

Missed opportunities for Miami

Messi put Miami ahead in the 62nd minute with a left-footed strike from 20 yards out after exchanging passes with Rodrigo De Paul. The goal was his league-leading 19th of the campaign.

Miami had multiple chances to extend the lead. Brian Schwake pushed one Messi effort onto the post, and Jeisson Palacios cleared another attempt off the line. Messi also hit the crossbar, while De Paul struck the outside of the post in stoppage time.

Miami has now dropped 11 points from winning positions at home in MLS this year. The club has won only once in its last nine matches in all competitions as it awaits Cristian 'Kily' González to formally take over as coach.

Nashville stays in control

The result leaves Miami trailing Nashville by nine points in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the Supporters' Shield with nine games left. Nashville is now unbeaten in four matches against Miami this season, having also beaten them 4-1 on Aug. 15 and knocked them out of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

What it means for the next game

Nashville SC vs Chicago Fire FC (MLS, Sun, 20 Sep): Nashville SC win 58%, draw 19%, Chicago Fire FC win 22%; expected goals 2.53 to 1.57. Our safest pick: Over 2.5 goals.

Inter Miami CF vs San Diego FC (MLS, Sun, 20 Sep): Inter Miami CF win 56%, draw 21%, San Diego FC win 23%; expected goals 2.27 to 1.41. Our safest pick: Inter Miami CF or Draw.