Nashville SC Scores Late to Hold Inter Miami to 2-2 Draw

Nashville SC scored in stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami on Saturday, preventing the hosts from closing the gap at the top of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference. The late equalizer preserved a nine-point advantage for conference leader Nashville with nine matches remaining in the regular season. The result leaves Inter Miami with just one victory in its past nine matches across all competitions.

Match Progression and Key Moments

Nashville opened the scoring in the fourth minute when forward Sam Surridge put the visitors ahead in South Florida. Inter Miami equalized in the 19th minute when a corner kick taken by Lionel Messi was deflected into the net by Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting for an own goal.

Miami took the lead in the 62nd minute through Messi. The forward combined with midfielder Rodrigo De Paul before placing a left-footed shot into the corner of the net from 20 yards out. The strike was Messi’s 19th league goal of the season, keeping him at the top of the Major League Soccer scoring charts.

The hosts missed multiple opportunities to extend their lead. Messi, who remains one goal away from 100 career goals for Inter Miami in all competitions, saw one shot saved onto the post by goalkeeper Brian Schwake and another cleared near the line by defender Jeisson Palacios. Messi also struck the crossbar later in the second half.

In the first minute of added time, Surridge scored his second goal of the night to pull Nashville level. Miami nearly responded immediately, but a shot from De Paul hit the outside of the post shortly before the final whistle.

Standings and Season Head-to-Head

The draw keeps Nashville on track to contest its first Supporters’ Shield since joining Major League Soccer alongside Inter Miami in 2020. For Miami, the dropped points mark the latest home setback, bringing the team to 11 points dropped from winning positions at home this league season.

Nashville remains unbeaten against Inter Miami in four meetings this season. Prior to Saturday’s draw, Nashville recorded a 4-1 win in league play on Aug. 15 and eliminated Miami from the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Reactions and Upcoming Matches

Inter Miami defender Facundo Mura reflected on the result after the match, describing the disappointment of feeling like the superior team only to have the three points snatched away in the final moments. Mura added that the team must focus on defensive organization, noting we need to feel a bit more secure at the back and stop conceding to protect leads.

Miami is awaiting incoming head coach Cristian “Kily” González to officially take charge of the squad. The team next plays on Wednesday against Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup, an annual match between the champions of MLS and Liga MX.

Background

Inter Miami and Nashville SC both entered Major League Soccer as expansion teams in 2020. Despite adding prominent international players such as Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, Miami has suffered early exits from both the Concacaf Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup this season. The Supporters’ Shield is awarded each year to the MLS team with the best overall record during the regular season.