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Messi Scores 101st Goal as Inter Miami Draws Again in MLS Clash with San Diego FC

Lionel Messi added another milestone to his record by scoring his 101st goal for Inter Miami, yet the team had to share points after a 2-2 draw with San Diego FC in Major League Soccer. Despite Messi’s brilliant free-kick and a goal from Luis Suarez, defensive mistakes prevented Miami from securing victory.

Match Summary: A Rollercoaster of Goals

  • Early lead: Anders Dreyer put San Diego ahead with an early goal.
  • Messi's response: The Argentine curled a free-kick to level the score.
  • Suarez strike: Luis Suarez looked to have clinched the win with a 74th-minute goal.
  • Dreyer's late equalizer: Dreyer scored again late in the game, denying Miami the win.

This was Miami’s fourth straight draw in the league, leaving them third in the Eastern Conference, 11 points behind leaders Nashville. New manager Kily Gonzalez faced a tough debut, frustrated by his team's defensive lapses that cost valuable points.

Gonzalez Criticizes Defensive Errors

Gonzalez didn’t hold back about the defensive issues that plagued his team. He expressed his dissatisfaction after Dreyer’s second goal slipped past Miami’s backline.

"We’ve only been here for four days and haven't had proper training. Defensively, we need to be much stronger," Gonzalez told ESPN. "These defensive horrors come at a high cost. That last moment shouldn’t have happened. It’s surreal to be so close to winning and almost lose. Our goalkeeper’s save was the only thing that kept us from defeat."

Signs of Complacency After Recent Success

Messi’s free-kick marked his 20th league goal this season and his eighth since joining MLS in 2023. Just days earlier, he had celebrated reaching 100 goals for Miami during their Campeones Cup win over Cruz Azul. Still, Gonzalez hinted that recent triumphs might have dulled the team’s focus.

"The Campeones Cup victory may have had an unconscious effect, especially in the first half, leading to some complacency," Gonzalez admitted. "At a club where winning every match is expected, we must rise to the occasion. On the bright side, there were positives, but I need to tighten up the defense—that’s my biggest concern."

Upcoming Fixtures

Inter Miami now looks ahead to a key away match against Columbus Crew on Sunday, aiming to break their run of draws and close in on the top of the table. San Diego will face Austin FC on Saturday.

  • Major League Soccer Matches:
  • San Diego FC vs Austin FC - 27 Sept 2026, 03:30
  • Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami - 28 Sept 2026, 02:00

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