Photo credit: Ron Soliman
For the second match in a row, striker Mikael Uhre set the tone with an opening goal, hitting the back of the net 62 seconds into play.
Uhre found the ball after a clearance attempt from David Martínez and then settled outside of the box before sneaking a shot past Drake Callendar to the bottom left corner of the net.
Sparked by the electric start, Philadelphia dominated offensive play for the first 20 minutes of play. Together, Uhre, Tai Baribo, and Dániel Gazdag had four on target attempts following the initial goal.
Momentum began to shift, however, as in his first time back for Miami in 105 days, Lionel Messi equalized off an assist by Luis Suárez. Minutes later, Messi recorded a brace with the help of Jordi Alba, who found him for a shot to the bottom right corner.
Miami had the chance to make it 3-1 before the end of the first half courtesy of Luis Suárez, but Messi, who assisted, was ultimately ruled offsides and the goal called back after VAR review.
At the beginning of the second half, the Union found themselves with a chance to tie the game up courtesy of an Uhre attempt. Instead, mere minutes later, the Boys in Blue were forced to commit a tactical foul in order to avoid another Messi goal. Jack Elliott found himself isolated with Messi at the top of the box, and with Messi prepared for a long-range blast, Elliott pulled him down and was booked. The card means Elliott will miss Philadelphia’s match against NYCFC on Wednesday due to yellow card accumulation.
Midway through the second half, Jim Curtin made his first pair of substitutions, sending Samuel Adeniran and Alejandro Bedoya in to replace Uhre and Jack McGlynn. The change kept the Union’s signature 4-4-2 diamond, while allowing Quinn Sullivan to play higher up the pitch as Bedoya oversaw defensive responsibilities.
Almost immediately after the change, Sullivan whipped a cross towards Adeniran, who smashed it just over the crossbar.
As the second half dwindled down, Inter Miami made a pair of defensive changes, allowing them to rotate into a back five. The new alignment allowed space for the Union to attack, including a run with just under 10 minutes to go where Gazdag found side netting, a long-range attempt from Elliott, and a frazzled scramble by Adeniran.
Following a delay of game due to an injury to Kai Wagner, Messi made his final contribution, setting the ball up for Suarez to put the game away.
Three points
- Blake-less: Out tonight with an injury picked up on international duty, Blake has now missed 19 of the Union’s 28 games.
- YCA: With tonight’s booking, Jack Elliott is ineligible for the Union’s game at NYCFC on Wednesday night.
- 6 games left: With only 6 matches left, the Union sit at 11th place. They’ll need to string together wins to have a chance at the wild card spot.
Lineups
Philadelphia: Andrew Rick, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Leon Flach (Danley Jean Jacques—82′), Kai Wagner, Nathan Harriel (Olivier Mbaizo—88′), Dániel Gazdag, Jack McGlynn (Alejandro Bedoya—63′), Quinn Sullivan (Jeremy Rafanello—88′), Mikkel Uhre (Samuel Adeniran—63′), Tai Baribo
Unused subs: Cavan Sullivan, Oliver Semmle, Jesús Bueno, Chris Donovan
Inter Miami FC: Drake Callender, Héctor Martínez (Noah Allen—15′; Ian Fray—90’+2′), Tomás Avilés, Jordi Alba, Marcelo Weigandt, Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo (David Ruiz—90’+2′) , Julian Gressel ( Yannick Bright—81′), Luis Suárez, Diego Gómez, (Benjamin Cremaschi—81′), Lionel Messi
Unused subs: Óscar Ustari, Robert Taylor, Franco Negri, Leonardo Campana
Scoring summary
PHI – Mikael Uhre — 2′
MIA – Lionel Messi — 26′
MIA – Lionel Messi — 30′
MIA – Luis Suárez — 90’+8′
Misconduct summary
MIA – Tomás Avilés — 32′
PHI – Jack Elliott — 56′
PHI – Quinn Sullivan — 72′
MIA – Luis Suárez — 75′
MIA – Lionel Messi — 87′
MIA – Sergio Busquets — 90’+5′
Honestly the Union surprised me with how much they created. Could’ve won with more clinical finishes. But I am not at all surprised that Messi made the difference. Went in expecting a loss, and got a decent game in the course of it.
What’s the reverse magic number, as in union losses and they’re done for thIs year?
Union made it interesting. Just couldn’t finish. Miami looks like they’ll set the points record, but I can’t stand anything about their organization and roster construction. Plus, I’m a hater ; ) I imagine the league will find a way to give them the last club world cup spot regardless of how their season ends.
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The wild card game feels like such a silly gimmick. I know Curtin has a responsibility to go for it, but it’s tough to give a crap as a fan. I’d like to think missing the playoffs would mean bigger offseason changes. However, that’s probably a dream too.
Used to be worried that if Union had the lead they would lose it. Then for a few years when they scored first I could be confident that they would win, and the stats showed it. Messi notwithstanding, my confidence is back where it was, geez.
Watched the replay. Union played hard and without fear. With just a little bit of luck the score could have been reversed. Blake’s absence has cost this team at least 12 point maybe 18 points. 18 points would put the Union in the top 3 of the East. A healthier Blake plus 1 more quality veteran DP attacking midfielder who is willing to play a little D puts the Union back in the mix next year. Once again it comes down to Sugarman investing his profits into the first team. Unfortunately he probably never will. His # 1 priority is build the accademy find and develop an unpolished gem once every year sell it it to a European investor team then put that 4 to 6 million transfer fee back into the machine. It’s Soccer Socialism for the fans of Philly. It’s also making Union fans more apathetic and hopeless about the future of any MLS cup ever coming to this town
What you’re saying is missing one of the 5 best goalkeepers in league history and meeting instead of missing their xG in attack makes them one of the elite teams in the league, but that the franchise should be ashamed of themselves? Which is it?
I guess both , sorry but I am confused by your response.
I’ve found it’s easier to fall asleep on a Saturday night if I don’t bother to get all riled up watching the Union game. Plus it has the added bonus of not supporting Apple. So I’ll probably only bother to watch 2 of the 3 home games (I’m out of the country for one of them) and not bother with the away games.
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The Leagues Cup has done what it was intended to do. Make a day one fan lose interest in the team.
Kinda had Miami on the back foot while they slumbered their way through the first 20 min and remembered League’s Cup is over, International break is over… then the quality settled properly.
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Look.. I know Danley was a bit knocked.
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But how do you expect me to remain interested when arguably my favorite position on the field is being filled with Leon. I get it. I like him. He cannot be the 6. Period. The team literally passes around him…. afraid to play it central like the U12-U16 teams littering the Wastelands of youth soccer.
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Danley comes on and the team was INSTANTLY more dangerous.
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Man. Between the incessant beaks in MLS play which make it IMPOSSIBLE to find a rhythm as a fan let alone a team. And the loss of Andre. The loss of Jose. The force feeding of Leon in the HDM.
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It’s really hard to stay engaged.
Well said. It is painful to watch Leon in that position.
I thought he did fine. Put out some fires. But I do agree Danley has more upside in the attack.
Number of comments keep dropping after matches. This season vs last season as well. If this site is in any way a measuring stick of overall fandom, the U should be concerned.
At this point with six games left in the season and games on the road against Orlando, Columbus and NYCFC it will take a miracle to make the playoffs. The next two games are must win games against NYCFC on the road and DC United at home. Lose those games and the only thing left is to play the kids for the last four games.
I say play’em now. Hell, the result might be better.
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What if the U do win a few and sneak in to an 8 or 9 in the table? Maybe even win the silly play in game. Then what? A best of 3 against Miami? That will end quickly. The playoffs are a revenue goal for the club. As a supporter I don’t care at all if this team is in the top 9 or not. They have no chance in the post-season tournament. Develop the young players now.
Adding to the woe, Elliott will be suspended for the next match.
Get well soon Andre Blake!