Messi’s late free kick goal sparks Inter Miami to rally for a 3-3 tie against Union

CHESTER Pa AP Lionel Messi gave Inter Miami a pep talk this week exhorting his MLS squad to be more united than ever to get through a current rough stretch Motivational speeches sometimes work Messi being Messi almost never fails Messi got a rise out of the crowd when he scored on a free kick late in the th minute to pull Inter Miami within one and had the assist on Telasco Segovia s tying goal in the th minute helping Inter Miami rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the Philadelphia Union - on Saturday night Messi the eight-time Ballon d Or winner and World Cup champion scored a crucial goal in his first contest since he challenged Inter Miami during a rare television interview to stick together after a loss against Orlando Inter Miami stuck together down the stretch to stun the Union Messi ultimately solved -year-old Union goalie Andrew Rick late in front of a packed house that came to watch one of soccer s greats and also to root on a Union unit that came minutes away from its th win of the season Quinn Sullivan scored the first goal and Tai Baribo added two more to give him this season for the Union Tadeo Allende scored in the second half to make it - Inter Miami Messi buried a free kick late in the match for his sixth goal of the season that made it - and seemed like it could spark Inter Miami out of its funk Segovia took care of the rest for an Inter Miami unit that averaged only goals over its last games The only way to see the sun is to give everything Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano commented Messi brought out his share of fans in his second career MLS visit to Subaru Park though the Messi Mania from his visit was tamped down to Messi Mildness this time The pregame scene outside the stadium still saw fans in every beer hot dog and bathroom line in Messi jerseys and T-shirts ready to root on the World Cup champion from Argentina Unlike his first visit when tickets soared past on the secondary industry and season-ticket holders gleefully sold their inventory to make a profit on the season good seats Saturday were still available on the secondary field for less than a pop moments before kickoff Messi missed the trip to Chester last season because of international games with Argentina at Copa America Messi who turns in June received a mix of cheers and boos in his return when he was introduced then absolutely silenced the Union s famed Sons of Ben as the seconds ticked down Inter Miami needed the boost Messi s organization set an MLS record for best regular-season mark a year ago going - - finishing with the majority of points and top winning percentage in league history The four regular-season losses tied a league mark for the fewest in a season But this season has looked nothing like last season We re coming off a period of bad results Messi described Apple TV after the Orlando battle But we have to keep working and think about what s next With three or four games left in May we have to finish the best feasible way to be able to face the Club World Cup That tournament starts June It s the next big event on Inter Miami s calendar and particular games will be played down the road at Lincoln Financial Field home of the Super Bowl champion Eagles Messi did not speak after the Union tie absolutely posting a collage of match photos on social media The Union extend their unbeaten streak to nine matches in all competitions The Union are off to their best start to a season through games with points The club s previous best was points in matches back in Eagles star cornerback Cooper DeJean who became the first competitor in Super Bowl history to intercept a pass or total a touchdown on his birthday struck the ceremonial pregame drum to get the festivities started Sullivan picked to attend the US men s national squad camp next month and Baribo took it from there each scoring first-half goals against Miami s Oscar Ustari to keep the good times rolling for the hottest gang in MLS Because of Messi they wouldn t last We revealed our character our personality Mascherano explained