Miami leave it late to scrape a draw against Philadelphia

Philadelphia Union 3 – 3 Inter Miami

CHESTER, PA–Inter Miami had another night to forget in front of their own goal but managed to earn a draw with a wonderful strike in the dying seconds.

Lionel Messi had to pull out all the stops to help his side get a much-needed point after another game strewn with defensive errors.

Two goals down with three minutes of normal time remaining, Messi stepped up to take a free kick and breathed life into a side that was staring another defeat in the face.

And it gave them enough motivation to go looking for an equalizer, which Telasco Segovia provided in some style.

Up until that point, Philadelphia had been the better team and will feel that they threw the game away. And as is often the case for the Herons, they dominated possession, but it was the opposition that looked more likely to score, and the Union came out of the blocks firing.

A quick corner was collected by the unmarked Quinn Sullivan who was allowed to turn and compose himself before curing his effort inside the far post for an exquisite strike.

It was another example of how some Miami players are guilty of switching off at crucial moments during a game, which can prove costly, as it did here.

To their credit, Miami immediately looked to make amends and started to work the Philadelphia defence and create chances, but they couldn’t break them down.

Half time approaching would have been a chance for coach Javier Mascherano to get his players together to reiterate his instructions and get some focus. But Oscar Ustari was the busier of the two keepers, and he was beaten again after some more ordinary defending.

Another Philadelphia attack caused confusion in Miami’s penalty box, where Mikael Uhre beat Gonzalo Lujan to the loose ball for Tai Baribo to poke home their second goal.

It was a scrappy goal that won’t win any awards, much like Miami’s defensive efforts to clear the ball.

But the Herons finally got the break that their endeavour deserved when Noah Allen crossed brilliantly for Tadeo Allende to head past Andrew Rick to set up an enthralling last half an hour.

It was end-to-end at that stage, and you sensed there were more goals to come. Sure enough, there was, and it was the Union who extended their lead. Another attack saw the ball fall nicely for Baribo, who just about stayed onside to get his second.

Whatever criticism you can direct at Miami, you can’t question the players’ commitment and never-say-die attitude. They never stop running or trying, a mentality that all great teams must have to be successful, and it was an attribute that got them out of trouble here.

Messi won a free kick on the edge of the area before firing it into the top corner to reduce the deficit and set up an exciting finale.

Philadelphia could have won it in the dying minutes when they hit the woodwork twice, but it was Miami who got the last laugh when Segovia’s strike beat Rick at his far post and earn his side a point.

This game highlighted Miami’s obvious ability to score goals, but at this moment, they are as likely to concede as many as they score.

It’s been a problem that has plagued them for most of the season, and one that needs to end if they want to finish at or near the Supporters’ Shield standings.