Play store
Inter Miami’s hopes of closing the gap on Nashville at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference suffered another setback on Sunday as San Diego twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw in Florida.
Anders Dreyer scored both goals for San Diego, while Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez found the net for Miami in an entertaining contest at Nu Stadium.
San Diego took an early lead in the 12th minute when Dreyer raced onto Jeppe Tverskov’s through ball and calmly chipped Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
Messi equalised 12 minutes later, curling a free-kick from the edge of the area through a crowded box and inside the post for his 101st goal for Inter Miami.
Miami dominated possession after the break and created several chances, with Messi, Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul all going close.
The hosts finally took the lead in the 74th minute when De Paul played a clever pass to Suarez, who fired into the net to make it 2-1.
San Diego responded again, with Tverskov sending another precise pass over the Miami defence for Dreyer, who coolly finished in the 81st minute to restore parity.
San Diego nearly snatched a late winner in stoppage time, but St. Clair denied Kieran Sargeant on a counterattack.
The draw leaves Miami 11 points behind Nashville with eight regular-season matches remaining.