Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were frustrated in their push to close the gap atop Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, settling for a 2-2 draw against San Diego at Nu Stadium on Sunday. The result leaves Miami 11 points behind leaders Nashville with eight games remaining in the regular season.
Danish international Anders Dreyer was the hero for San Diego, netting both goals. Dreyer put the visitors ahead in the 12th minute, finishing off a sublime through ball from Jeppe Tverskov with a deft chip over Miami keeper Dayne St. Clair.
Messi quickly responded, curling a trademark free-kick through a crowded box and in off the post for his 101st goal for Miami in the 24th minute. Miami pressed for more, dominating possession and creating chances for Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul, but San Diego’s defense held firm.
In the 74th minute, De Paul set up Suarez, who blasted Miami into a 2-1 lead. However, San Diego stunned the home crowd late, as Tverskov found Dreyer with another precise ball over the top and the Dane coolly slotted home for 2-2.
San Diego almost stole all three points in stoppage time, but St. Clair’s last-ditch save denied Kieran Sargeant on the counter. Miami now faces an uphill battle to catch Nashville in the closing weeks of the MLS season.
