Nashville SC kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday, despite a late goal from Lionel Messi at a rain-soaked Geodis Park in Tennessee.
The hosts took control early through Sam Surridge’s ninth-minute penalty, awarded after Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo hesitated whilst coming off his line against the charging forward. Surridge made no mistake, slotting the ball to the keeper’s right.
Josh Bauer doubled Nashville’s advantage on the stroke of half-time, sliding home left-footed following a corner from Hany Mukhtar.
Miami emerged for the second period with renewed determination, but Luis Suarez saw his close-range effort in the 66th minute parried by Nashville keeper Joe Willis.
The visitors intensified their pressure in the closing stages, and Messi finally broke through in the 89th minute. Rodrigo De Paul found the Argentine in the box, and the newly crowned MLS Golden Boot winner wrong-footed his marker before firing a left-footed shot into the top right corner.
However, the goal proved too little, too late for Miami, who must now host a decisive third match in the series. Having won the opening encounter 3-1 thanks to a Messi brace, the result will bring back uncomfortable memories of last year’s playoffs, when Miami, despite posting the best regular season record, lost to Atlanta United after winning their opening game.
In other playoff action, Philadelphia Union secured their passage with a 3-0 triumph over Chicago Fire. Tai Baribo scored twice within the opening 16 minutes, whilst Bruno Damiani added a third in the 35th.
Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake saved a first-half penalty from Brian Gutierrez and remained largely untroubled throughout the match. The Union, who won the Supporters Shield with the league’s best record, will face either Charlotte FC or New York City FC in a one-game conference semi-final.
Charlotte forced a decisive third match against NYCFC with a penalty shoot-out victory following a goalless draw at Yankee Stadium.
In the Western Conference, Vancouver Whitecaps advanced dramatically after Ralph Priso’s stoppage-time equaliser forced a penalty shoot-out against FC Dallas. The hosts had led through Peter Musa’s 25th-minute strike, but Priso’s rebound secured a 1-1 draw before Vancouver prevailed in the shoot-out.
Portland Timbers also forced a decisive third match against Western Conference leaders San Diego, winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
