Messi scores after father’s death as Miami draw 2-2 with Union

Inter Miami drew 2-2 with Philadelphia Union on Wednesday as Lionel Messi scored his first goal since the death of his father. Philadelphia’s Indiana Vassilev and Neil Pierre found the net, while Daniel Pinter and Messi scored for Miami.

Vassilev put the Union ahead in the 11th minute, but Miami turned the match around before half-time. Luis Suarez supplied the move for Pinter’s close-range equaliser, then Messi put the visitors 2-1 ahead in the 26th minute with a curling left-footed finish into the far corner.

Messi’s celebration was subdued as he briefly smiled with his teammates before pointing towards the sky. The 39-year-old had not scored in Miami’s previous two matches after returning from Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge, on August 8.

The goal took Messi to 13 in the league, leaving him second in the scoring standings. Dallas forward Peter Musa leads with 16 after scoring twice in a 3-4 win at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Miami could not hold onto the advantage after Pierre levelled in the 58th minute. The result extended the club’s winless run to four matches and left them seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.

Miami had lost 3-2 to Mexican club Leon in the Leagues Cup before suffering a 4-1 MLS defeat by Nashville, a match in which Messi missed a penalty. Coach Guillermo Hoyos said the team wanted to win and was unhappy with the draw, but must now recover quickly for Saturday’s meeting with Toronto FC, less than 72 hours later.