Lionel Messi netted his MLS-leading 19th goal of the season as Inter Miami settled for a 2-2 draw against league leaders Nashville on Saturday night.
Nashville struck early with taking the lead in the 4th minute through Sam Surridge who finished off Andy Najar's pass for his 14th goal of the season. Miami equalized in the 19th minute when Nashville defender Reed Baker-Whiting turned the ball into his own net from a corner kick.
Messi came close before the break, having a shot blocked in the 27th minute and sending a free kick wide soon after. He finally broke through in the second half, receiving a pass from Rodrigo De Paul outside the box and curling a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner in the 62nd minute to put Miami ahead 2-1.
However Nashville struck back through Surridge's second goal of the night with equalizing just a minute into stoppage time to snatch a point and keep the club unbeaten against Miami in four meetings this season.
The result leaves Nashville nine points clear of second-placed Miami in the Eastern Conference standings. Miami had entered the match hoping to avenge a 4-1 defeat to Nashville on August 15 having also been eliminated by the same side earlier this season in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
