MIAMI, Fla. – Inter Miami twice came from behind Sunday night, but could not find a late winner in a 2-2 draw with San Diego FC.
Anders Dreyer scored twice for San Diego, while Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez scored for Miami in a back-and-forth match at Nu Stadium.
Dreyer opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing from inside the penalty area to give San Diego an early advantage.
Miami responded 12 minutes later when Messi curled a left-footed free kick into the upper corner from 32 yards, leveling the match in the 24th minute. Messi’s goal was one of several dangerous moments for Miami in the opening half, but San Diego goalkeeper CJ dos Santos made four saves to keep the visitors in the match.
The teams went into halftime tied 1-1, with San Diego holding a narrow edge in possession.
Miami eventually took its first lead in the 74th minute. Suárez finished from 15 yards, putting the Herons ahead 2-1 after Miami had continued to pressure the San Diego defense following the break.
The lead lasted only eight minutes.
Dreyer struck again in the 82nd minute, scoring from 15 yards to bring San Diego level. The goal completed Dreyer’s brace and gave San Diego a point after the club entered the match on a three-game losing streak.
Miami had opportunities to reclaim the lead late, including a Messi free kick in the 90th minute, but San Diego held on.
San Diego finished with 52% possession and outshot Miami in total attempts, while Miami put six shots on target compared with two for the visitors. The teams each created multiple chances, with Miami recording three big chances to San Diego’s two.
The draw extended Miami’s run of consecutive MLS draws to four. The Herons are now 12-4-9 in league play with 45 points, remaining third in the Eastern Conference, while San Diego moved to 8-11-6 with 30 points.
Miami entered the match coming off a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, while San Diego had lost its previous three league matches, including a 5-0 defeat against the Philadelphia Union.
Messi finished with eight shots, including three on target, while Dreyer registered five shots and scored both of San Diego’s goals.
