Inter Miami - Philadelphia Union live online updates, Messi goal, score and stats | MLS
Inter Miami - Philadelphia Union: Live updates
GOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Lionel Messi
Of course! With a shimmy and a strike, Lionel Messi has his goal on his return for Inter Miami.
Brilliant goal!
Sergio Busquets is struggling to get into the game in the opening stages, swamped by the Union's diamond midfield. Does Tata Martino need to make a change to help open this game up with Inter Miami?
Good defending from Marcelo Weigandt at the back post for Miami, winning the ball off Gazdag in the air and then earning his team a free kick.
Inter Miami progress the ball down the left flank and work a good crossing position for Jordi Alba. The former Barcelona man miscues his delivery and balloons his attempt into the stands.
What is going on here?!
This has not been a good 20 minutes from Inter Miami. We've seen poor touches and misplaced passes in the midfield, along with a lack of clarity at the back.
Inter Miami survive defensive calamity!
Nearly a second for the visitors as a backpass from Tomas Aviles is played hopelessly short. Uhre pounces on the loose touch and drives at goal but Drake Callender makes a brilliant double save to deny the Union.
Noah Allen, usually a full-back, will be taking over form Martinez at the heart of the Miami defence. Both Allen and defensive partner Tomas Aviles are just 20 years old, a very inexperienced backline for Inter Miami now.
Change for Inter Miami. Hector Martinez hobbles off, Noah Allen comes on to replace him.
Hector Martinez
Concern for Inter Miami as the defender goes down after a tackle. The referee stops the game so he can receive medical treatment.
Martinez may not be able to continue here.
Inter Miami are starting to enjoy a solid spell of possession now, building their way into the game.
Watch: Mikkel Uhre goal puts Inter Miami behind
The Philadelphia Union needed just 60 seconds to ruin the party on Lionel Messi's return to MLS. Kai Wagner pounced on a loose touch from Luis Suarez and the Union striker finished well from the edge of the box.
Brilliant piece of skill from Diego Gomez on the left flank for Inter Miami, popping the ball through the legs of Nathan Harriel and skipping past the right-back.
Philadelphia Union clear the corner and try to break swiftly.
Miami get players back to stem the counter-attack but it's a sign of the Union game plan this evening, looking to catch the hosts on the break whenever possible.
Messi tries to curl it with his left foot but his effort clips the top of the wall.
Inter Miami manage to retain possession and win a corner kick. Messi to take...
The free kick is around 25 yards from goal, right down the middle.
Can Messi produce something magic on his return?
Inter Miami are struggling to get a hold of the ball in the early stages.
The ball drops to Suarez on the edge of the box and he's clipped by a recovering defender. Big chance for Messi from the free kick.
Philadelphia Union look really up for this, pressing Miami high and playing direct when they get the ball back.
The attacking trio of Gazdag, Uhre and Baribo is working well.
Sensational start for the Union!
Within 60 seconds the visitors are ahead, Mikkel Uhre firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. There was too much space on the edge of the Miami box there.
As expected, Sergio Busquets is moved back into midfield as Miami abandon the back-three. Hector Martinez and Tomas Aviles start as central defenders.
And we're off!
Inter Miami get things underway at Chase Stadium.
The teams are out!
The players of Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union enter to a packed stadium. There's a change of formation for Inter Miami, reverting to the 4-3-3 that served them well at the start of the season.
In goal for the Union, 18-year-old Andrew Rick.
Inter Miami put through their paces ahead of kick-off
They may have opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Supporters' Shield rankings but Inter Miami will not be taking tonight's challenge lightly. Philadelphia Union are scrapping for a playoff place this year but they have been one of the league's most consistent teams over the past eight seasons.
The Union boast several real attacking talents, including captain Daniel Gazdag.
We're nearly ready for the off!
The stands are approaching full capacity at Inter Miami's Chase Stadium and the players are readying themselves for this afternoon's game.
After 62 games out due to injury, Lionel Messi makes his return to the field.
Thunderstorms coming in Miami?
Kick-off is now just 15 minutes away and the anticipation is rising at Chase Stadium. That atmosphere will not be dampened, despite the dark clouds on the horizon outside the stadium.
Inter Miami prepare to take on Philadelphia Union. / MEGAN BRIGGS / Getty Images via AFP
Lionel Messi is back on the field
In the last few minutes Lionel Messi emerged from the tunnel at Chase Stadium to a very warm reception from the home crowd. He was looked relaxed ahead of kick-off as he goes through his paces alongside Luis Suarez.
The expectations were high for Inter Miami in 2024 and they are on course to do something truly historic in MLS. If they continue their current rate the Herons will break the single-season record for MLS points.
Watch: Lionel Messi's return to training
Earlier this week Lionel Messi was said to be suffering flu-like symptoms and was training alone, throwing his availability this weekend in doubt. But things improved on Friday as Lionel Messi was back with his team mates, looking ready for his return.
Tai Baribo looks to continue scoring form
Philadelphia Union were made to sweat over the fitness of striker Tai Baribo ahead of the trip to Inter Miami. Baribo was fit enough to be named in the starting XI and he'll be looking to add to his tally for the season.
The striker has scored 14 goals in 19 goals so far in 2024, a career-best tally for the 26-year-old.
The return of their captain isn't the only piece of good news for Inter Miami supporters this week. The club has announced the opening date for the new stadium - Miami Freedom Park - which will replace their temporary Chase Stadium home.
He's a closer look at the new stadium...
Lionel Messi returns for Inter Miami
"He has been training quite well and we always felt that Philadelphia was the game to return to.”
“To get back the best player in the world to our team, which was already on a good run, we are all very happy with this situation.”
And here's the Union
The visitors are looking relaxed as they arrive at Chase Stadium. Of course, we're expecting a sell-out crowd In Southern Florida this evening but this won't be a procession for Inter Miami.
Philadelphia Union are one of the most experienced and consistent sides in MLS, a real test for the high-flying Herons this evening.
Lionel Messi in the house in Miami!
It's taken a while, but Lionel Messi is finally ready to step back onto the field for Inter Miami. He was seen strolling in alongside Luis Suarez just minutes ago, the Uruguayan sipping his customary mate drink.
Tata Martino will be delighted to have his superstar strikeforce reunited.
Philadelphia starting XI to face Inter Miami
Here's how Jim Curtin lines up this evening. There's plenty of attacking fire power with Gazdag, Baribo, Uhre and Sullivan in the starting XI at Chase Stadium.
No Andre Blake in goal, though. He misses out due to injury and 18-year-old Andrew Rick starts in his place.
Here's a closer look at the decisions facing Tata Martino ahead of this week's game. He's opted to field Lionel Messi from the start, forcing a change from a team that's been in imperious form of late.
Lionel Messi starts for Inter Miami!
He's back. Inter Miami welcome back captain Lionel Messi to the starting XI for tonight's game against Philadelphia.
Throwback: Afonso solo goal hands Miami three points
Here's a look back at the last time these two side met. Earlier in the year a nine-man Inter Miami secured an incredible victory over the Philadelphia Union, thanks to this goal from Leo Afonso.
MLS fixture schedule
We're in for a thrilling night of action in MLS with big derby games across the league. Cincinnati take on Columbus Crew in the Hell is Real Debry, while LAFC and LA Galaxy go head-to-head in a table-topping El Trafico.
Right here, we'll be focused on the action from Chase Stadium as Inter Miami look to continue their impressive recent form against the Union.
While we await team news from Miami, let's take a look at the selection headaches facing Herons head coach Tata Martino.
With Lionel Messi added to the deep attacking talent, who will mis out against the Philadelphia Union?
Philly in Miami
The skies are cloudy at Chase Stadium but that won't dampen the excitement ahead of this clash. The Philadelphia Union have been one of MLS' best teams throughout Jim Curtin's decade-long tenure as head coach and they have the experience and the quality to hurt any team in the league.
Lionel Messi is back for Inter Miami
We'll get the ball rolling with the big news ahead of kick-off. After more than three months away, Lionel Messi returns to the Inter Miami matchday squad this evening.
We're still awaiting confirmed team news from Chase Stadium. Will Messi feature from the start or is he destined to enter as a substitute? We'll find out shortly...
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Inter Miami - Philadelphia Union in MLS.
Miami come into this game on an incredible run of form, winning ten of their last 13 games and on track to beat the single-season MLS points record. Could things get any better for the Herons?
Yes. They're preparing to welcome back Lionel Messi. We could be in for a cracker tonight...