Messi scores and assists as Inter Miami draw 2-2 with Philadelphia Union

Lionel Messi scored a goal and provided an assist as Inter Miami drew 2-2 with the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night.

Messi set up Inter Miami’s opening goal in the 21st minute when his cross was headed by Luis Suarez into the path of Daniel Pinter, who finished from close range.

Five minutes later, Messi cut inside onto his favored left foot from about 12 yards and curled the ball into the corner of the net. It was his first goal since returning to action following the death of his father.

Messi now has 13 goals and nine assists in 17 MLS appearances this season. Against the Union, he has six goals and four assists in six matches across all competitions.

Indiana Vassilev scored on a volley in the first half to put Philadelphia ahead, with 16-year-old midfielder Cavan Sullivan providing the assist.

The Union leveled in the 58th minute when 18-year-old defender Neil Pierre headed home his third goal in five games this season.

Philadelphia thought it had taken the lead again in the 62nd minute through Milan Iloski, but the goal was ruled out after a video review because Pierre was offside in the buildup.

The match ended with both teams reduced to 10 men after Yannick Bright and Sullivan were shown red cards in stoppage time following an off-the-ball scuffle.

Inter Miami, now 11-3-6, remained second in the Eastern Conference after losing 4-1 to leaders Nashville on Saturday. Messi played the full 90 minutes in that match, missing a penalty and hitting the post twice while assisting Telasco Segovia.

Miami had lost three consecutive matches in all competitions before Wednesday's draw, including two defeats to Mexican clubs in the Leagues Cup. The loss to Nashville also ended Miami's seven-game unbeaten run in MLS.

Messi returned as a substitute in Miami's Aug. 12 defeat to Leon, playing 45 minutes. He missed the Aug. 8 match against Monterrey to attend the funeral of his father, Jorge, who died on Aug. 7.

The Union, 5-10-5, are unbeaten in five matches, with four wins and a draw, since Ryan Richter took charge as interim coach.

Rodrigo De Paul, Messi's teammate on Argentina's 2022 World Cup team, missed Wednesday's match through suspension after accumulating yellow cards.

Inter Miami had beaten the Union 6-4 on May 24 in the teams' last meeting before the World Cup break. Messi did not score in that match, but Suarez netted a hat trick as Miami came from behind after trailing 2-0 and 3-1.