Messi scores 13th MLS goal as Inter Miami draw 2-2 at Philadelphia
Synopsis
Messi's curling 26th-minute strike — his 13th of the season — put Inter Miami ahead at Philadelphia, but Neil Pierre's second-half equaliser forced a 2-2 draw. With 39 points and second place in the East, Inter Miami left Chester with a point that keeps the pressure on the conference leaders.
Key Takeaways
Inter Miami CF drew 2-2 with the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on 20 August .
Lionel Messi scored his 13th regular-season goal , curling a finish into the far post in the 26th minute .
Daniel Pinter scored his first career MLS goal in the 21st minute , assisted by Messi and Suárez.
Neil Pierre equalised for Philadelphia in the 58th minute to cancel Inter Miami's lead.
Inter Miami sit second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points (11W-3L-6D).
Inter Miami host Toronto FC at Nu Stadium on Sunday .
Lionel Messi struck his 13th regular-season goal and Daniel Pinter netted his first MLS strike as Inter Miami CF came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park in Chester on 20 August. The result keeps Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points from 20 games.
How the Goals Fell
Indiana Vassilev gave the Union the lead in the 11th minute, putting the home side in control early. Inter Miami levelled just ten minutes later when Messi played a ball down the left channel for Luis Suárez, who redirected it with a header into the path of Pinter, the academy product tucking home from close range.
Messi then flipped the scoreline in the 26th minute. Receiving a pass from Fray on the right edge of the box, the Argentine cut inside and curled a precise effort into the far corner — his 13th goal of the regular season. The goal moved Messi's assist tally to nine, while Suárez's climbed to eight; Fray registered his third assist of the campaign.
Philadelphia's Equaliser
Inter Miami carried a 2-1 lead into the break, but Neil Pierre drew the Union level in the 58th minute, cancelling out the visitors' advantage. The 2-2 scoreline held through the final whistle, with neither side able to find a winner.
Where Inter Miami Stand
The draw extends Inter Miami's unbeaten run on the road and leaves them with 11 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses — good for 39 points and second place in the Eastern Conference. The performance underscored the team's resilience, having recovered from a deficit twice in the opening half.
What's Next
Inter Miami return home to host Toronto FC at Nu Stadium on Sunday. With the Eastern Conference standings tight, every home result will be critical as the regular season enters its decisive stretch.
Point of View
And the Messi-Suárez combination remains the axis around which everything rotates. The concern for Inter Miami is defensive: conceding from a set-piece situation in the 58th minute after controlling the game suggests the backline still has vulnerabilities that sharper Eastern Conference rivals will look to exploit in the run-in.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union on 20 August?
Inter Miami CF drew 2-2 with the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park in Chester on 20 August. Daniel Pinter and Lionel Messi scored for the visitors, while Indiana Vassilev and Neil Pierre netted for Philadelphia.
How many goals has Messi scored in the MLS regular season so far?
Messi has scored 13 goals in the MLS regular season as of 20 August. He also has nine assists, making him one of the most productive players in the league this campaign.
Who is Daniel Pinter and what did he do in this match?
Daniel Pinter is an Inter Miami academy product who scored his first career MLS goal in the 21st minute against Philadelphia Union. The goal came after a Messi pass found Suárez, whose header set up Pinter for a close-range finish.
Where do Inter Miami stand in the MLS Eastern Conference?
Inter Miami are second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points from 11 wins, 3 losses, and 6 draws. The draw at Philadelphia maintained their position in the top two of the standings.
When is Inter Miami's next match?
Inter Miami return home to host Toronto FC at Nu Stadium on Sunday. The match is a key opportunity to build on their road point and consolidate their Eastern Conference standing.
