Mikael Uhre scored early but Philadelphia Union fell to Supporters' Shield leading Inter Miami CF, 3-1 on Saturday night.
The Union's Danish striker needed just 62 seconds to open the scoring however superstar Lionel Messi impressed in his first appearance in three months as he bagged a two goals five minutes to put the hosts ahead in the first half. Philly controlled the second half and held the hosts without a shot for over half a hour but they hosts got an insurance goal in stoppage time from Luis Suarez to secure the three points in front of their home fans.
Philadelphia Union continues its two-game road trip with a midweek contest at rivals New York City FC on Wednesday night. Kick off from Yankee Stadium is set for 7:30PM ET.
How The Match Unfolded
One Major League Soccer star returned to play while one was sidelined on Saturday night in Florida as the Philadelphia Union took on Inter Miami.
Philadelphia Union’s three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake did not travel to Miami due to injury, while Lionel Messi, Miami’s marquee midfielder, was available to play for the first time since suffering an ankle while playing with Argentina in the Copa America final.
In Blake’s absence, 18-year-old Homegrown Andrew Rick take over in net, making his fifth start as a first-teamer. The focus, however, was on the opposite side of the field in the opening minutes as Philadelphia Union's attack started hot in South Florida.
1', Mikael Uhre claims early lead for Philadelphia | For the second match in a row, Danish striker Mikael Uhre set the tone early with an opening goal, this time hitting the back of the net less than one minute into play. Uhre found the ball off header clearance attempt from David MartÃnez, settling it outside of the box before taking a quick move left past that same player. With the space he created, he was able to place a powerful shot to the bottom left corner of the net past Drake Callendar.
20', Philadelphia dominates attack in first 20 minutes | By the 20-minute mark, Philadelphia Union recorded four on target attempts following Uhre's goal. The team's attacking trio in Uhre, Tai Baribo, and Dániel Gazdag tested Inter Miami with a relentless attacking effort.
26', Lionel Messi makes it 1-1 | In his first game back, Lionel Messi was the difference-maker, creating momentum for Miami with an equalizing goal assisted by Luis Suárez.
30th', Miami takes the lead | Less than five minutes later, Messi made it two with a second goal in quick succession. This time, it was Jordi Alba who found the Argentinian superstar running into the center of the box for a shot to the bottom right corner.
45', Luis Suarez goal ruled offside | The teams exited the field for halftime with 2-1 on the scoreboard after a goal from Suarez was called back after VAR review.
57', Yellow Card issued to Jack Elliott | Shortly after the Union had a chance to potentially tie the contest on the foot of Uhre, the Boys in Blue were forced to commit a tactical foul which will carry over into the next match. Elliott found himself isolated with Messi at the top of the box and as the Argentinian looked to line up for a long-range blast, the center back pulled him down and was booked. The card means the Union center back will miss Philly's contest at NYCFC on Wednesday due to yellow card accumulation.
63', Union bring on Adeniran and Bedoya | Needing a goal to knot up the scoreboard, Head Coach Jim Curtin's first change was an offensively minded one as Samuel Adeniran and Alejandro Bedoya took to the pitch in place of Uhre and McGlynn. The change kept the Union in their 4-4-2 diamond but allowed Quinn Sullivan to get higher up the pitch while Bedoya filled in the defensive responsibilities.
68', Adeniran nearly gets his first DOOP | Sullivan and Adeniran nearly executed the gameplan perfectly five minutes after the change. Sullivan collected possession out on the left side and whipped in a cross that connected on a smashing header from the Union forward however it went just over the crossbar.
82', Gazdag chance | Inter Miami CF made a pair of defensive changes to rotate into a back five to see out the home result. That allowed space for the Union to attack on combination runs which came with just under 10 minutes to go as Gazdag blasted a shot from a tight angle that went into the side netting. Right after the change, the Union made another swap as Danley Jean Jacques replaced Flach.
85', Chances rack up for the Union | The Boys in Blue attacked with wave after wave to test the Supporters' Shield leaders with Elliott attempted a long-range blast that forced a stop from goalkeeper Drake Callender. Seconds later the Union kept pushing as Adeniran was presented with a scoring change but again was denied by the Miami keeper.
90+8', Suarez puts the match away | After getting held without a shot for over a half hour, Miami pushed forward late in the match with Messi making a final pass to Suarez for the one-time finish to put the contest away.
