A Premature Exit for the Captain
The intense clash between Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union took a concerning turn in the second half when star forward Lionel Messi requested a substitution in the 73rd minute. After attempting a free kick, the Argentine icon was observed clutching the back of his leg before heading directly to the locker room for medical evaluation.
While the exact nature and severity of the injury remain unconfirmed, Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos addressed the situation post-match. According to reports, Hoyos noted that the team lacked immediate medical specifics but emphasized that they opted to pull Messi to ensure no unnecessary risks were taken.
A Record-Breaking Offensive Display
Before the injury incident, the match delivered one of the most explosive first halves in Major League Soccer history. By the halftime whistle, the score stood at an improbable 4-4 deadlock. The Union initially surged to a 3-1 lead within the first 20 minutes, but a swift response from Luis Suárez and Germán Berterame leveled the playing field. Milan Iloski stood out for the Union, securing a first-half hat trick that included a penalty conversion during an extended stoppage time—a period marked by a bizarre pause due to the referee’s shoe falling apart.
Miami Secures a High-Scoring Win
The second half proved to be a tighter defensive affair until the closing stages. Shortly after Messi’s departure, Luis Suárez completed his own hat trick to break the stalemate in the 81st minute. Rodrigo dePaul later sealed the result, bringing the final tally to 6-4. This 10-goal spectacle now ranks as the second-highest scoring game in the history of the league.
This match served as the final fixture for Inter Miami before the MLS break for the World Cup. With the tournament approaching, all eyes are on the status of the reigning champion’s captain, as fans wait for the official roster announcements ahead of the FIFA June 1 deadline.