Photo: Ron Soliman 

Unlike the earlier away fixture against Inter Miami CF a.k.a Barcelona “B”, the Boys in Blue dominated the first half and took a 3-1 lead into the final minutes on Saturday night. Two late goals including a free kick stunner by Lionel Messi cost the Union two points, as the Herons equalized for a 3-3 finish. 

Here are the ratings. Criticize if you like, but watch the highlights first: https://youtu.be/mW1SEiW-UP0?si=L16GQSicy4o2r43J 

Player Ratings

GK Andrew Rick – 5

Three goals allowed is three goals allowed. Would Blake have stopped one (or more) of the Heron’s goals? Perhaps. But it is hard to fault Rick for the draw. 

LB Kai Wagner – 6

Must give kudos where deserved, specifically the short corner leading to Quinn Sullivan’s goal. That said, both Wagner and Olwethu Makhnaya gave Tadeo Allende way too much space to head home Miami’s first goal.

CB Olwethu Makhanya- 6

A solid match from Makhanya, marred by allowing Allende to get in behind him for the first Miami goal.

CB Jakob Glesnes – 6

A Glesnes foul set up the Messi free kick for Miami’s second goal. Not a great night statistically either. 

RB Nate Harriel – 6

Allowed the cross leading to the first Miami goal. 

DM Danley Jean-Jacques – 7

A very good game from the Haitian who is quickly becoming a box-to-box threat. Had no problem blazing upfield past Miami’s aging stars. Completed 93% of his passes on the night. 

DM Jovan Lukić – 6

Could have played into the corner to kill time, but instead took a shot (off the crossbar) leading to a goal kick which then led to the third Miami goal.

AM Quinn Sullivan – 8

Sullivan’s goal was a thing of beauty, showing why he earned his USMNT call-up. Other than that had a relatively (for him) quiet offensive night, but his  constant pressing kept the pressure on Miami. 

AM Indiana Vassilev – 6

Not a poor game from the midfielder, and he should have been awarded a penalty, but such is MLS officiating. 

FWD Mikael Uhre – 6

Uhre always fights for the ball. Not always effectively, but this time he kept play alive in the box leading to Baribo’s first goal. 

FWD Tai Baribo – 8

Another game, another brace. Should have had a third, but was stymied at the post by Oscar Ustari. 

Substitutes:

(63′) Jesus Bueno – 6

Involved in the run-up to the Union’s third goal. 

(78’) Bruno Damiani – 5

Did not add much offensively in the short time he was on the field, but was a useful outlet and he completed most of his passes (six of seven).

(87’) Frankie Westfield – n/a

Needed to do a better job with the headed clearance that was played back in for the third Miami goal. The goal was not entirely his fault, hence the n/a score. 

Geiger Counter

Drew Fischer – 3

If Messi had been pushed in the box in the same manner that Vassilev was, a PK clearly would have been given. A soft one, sure, but it was a foul. If Jordi Alba is on the end of an elbow to the throat from Danley, a red card would have been given. Perhaps I’m a homer, but these Barcelona players get every call. That said, Baribo may have been offsides on his second goal. Finally, five minutes of injury time? Must have been for all of Luis Suarez’s whining. 

Player of the Match – Tai Baribo

The Golden Boot leader looked every bit as dangerous as the aging Barca 2 players.

What’s Next…

The Union head north to face Toronto in another midweek game. Wednesday, May 28 at BMO Field. 7:30 pm on Apple TV.