Lionel Messi is back. Don’t remind the Union.
The greatest of all-time scored twice in the first half in his first game action in two months, leading league-leading Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over the Union.
They spoiled a Mikael Uhre goal after just 62 seconds, his 30th career MLS goal, keeping the Union stuck in 11th place and out of the playoff picture. The Union pushed hard for an equalizer, with 20 shot attempts and eight on target, but they couldn’t find a way past goalie Drake Callender.
Luis Suarez laid off to Messi in a pocket of space in the 26th minute for Messi to bury a shot, then he nudged another one past Union goalie Andrew Rick in the 30th, Jordi Alba furnishing the chance.
Messi nearly had a third goal contribution of the half, setting up a Suarez goal, but it was waived off for an offside. He got one that counted deep in second-half stoppage time, Messi setting up Suarez’s 17th of the season.
Messi hadn’t played in exactly two months, since limping off with an ankle sprain in the Copa America final. His last MLS game was June 1. His two goals take him to 14 goals and 13 assists in 13 games (12 starts). He has 15 goals and 16 assists in his first 19 games in MLS.
The Union were without goalie Andre Blake, who picked up a groin injury on international duty with Jamaica. In his stead was Rick, the teen born in 2006, midway through Messi’s first full season with Barcelona.
Jack Elliott picked up a yellow card, which means he’s suspended midweek for a game against New York City that is vital for their playoff hopes.
