An 89th-minute strike from Lionel Messi proved too little, too late as Nashville SC edged Inter Miami 2-1 on Saturday, keeping their MLS Cup round one playoff series alive and forcing a decisive third match.
First-half goals from Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer handed Nashville control of the match at a rain-soaked Geodis Park in Tennessee, with Miami — led by Argentine superstar Messi — struggling to find a breakthrough.
Surridge put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute, converting a penalty after Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo hesitated coming off his line against the charging forward. The Englishman coolly slotted a low shot to Ríos Novo’s right to give Nashville the early advantage.
Just before half-time, Bauer doubled the lead with a well-timed sliding finish from a corner delivered by Hany Mukhtar, sending the home supporters into raptures.
Miami emerged more determined after the interval. Luis Suárez saw his close-range attempt in the 66th minute parried by Nashville keeper Joe Willis, while Ian Fray’s follow-up shot was blocked by a defender.
Messi, who had been largely contained for most of the match, came alive in the closing minutes. His angled effort from the right in the 85th minute was deflected, and another shot from the centre of the box was saved a minute later. He finally found the back of the net in the 89th minute when Rodrigo De Paul picked him out near the top of the area. The Argentine maestro twisted past his marker before unleashing a curling left-footed shot into the top right corner to reduce the deficit.
Miami, who won the opening game 3-1 with a Messi brace, must now regroup for the decisive third clash at home. It’s a familiar situation for Miami — last season, they entered the playoffs as the top regular-season side, winning their first match against Atlanta United only to lose the next two and exit the competition.
The winner of the series will face either Columbus Crew or FC Cincinnati, with Cincinnati holding a 1-0 series lead going into their game two on Sunday.
In other playoff action, Eastern Conference top seeds Philadelphia Union booked their place in the second round after a commanding 3-0 win over Chicago Fire.
Tai Baribo struck twice within the first 16 minutes with clinical finishes, while Bruno Damiani added a third in the 35th. Goalkeeper Andre Blake denied Brian Gutierrez from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute and faced little pressure otherwise.
Philadelphia, who edged Chicago in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 draw in the opening game, will next face either Charlotte FC or New York City FC.
Charlotte forced a deciding third game after triumphing 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Yankee Stadium. Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made the crucial save, diving left to deny Agustín Ojeda on NYCFC’s eighth attempt, before Nathan Byrne sealed the victory with a powerful strike down the middle past Matt Freese.
Having lost the first match 1-0, Charlotte will now host the series decider on Friday.