Lionel Messi’s landmark 101st goal for Inter Miami proved insufficient as the MLS champions were forced to settle for a frustrating 2-2 draw against San Diego FC at Nu Stadium on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The result, which saw Inter Miami concede a late equalizer, dealt a blow to their aspirations of surpassing Nashville SC at the summit of the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi Goal in Free-Kick Against San Diego
The match, a crucial Major League Soccer regular season fixture, kicked off at 7:00 PM EDT (23:00 UTC) under the floodlights of their home ground. Despite Messi’s individual brilliance, the draw extends Inter Miami’s winless streak in MLS to four games, raising questions about their defensive solidity in recent outings.
Inter Miami vs San Diego – Match Action
San Diego FC opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Anders Dreyer capitalized on a through ball from Jeppe Tverskov, chipping it over Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to give the visitors a surprise early lead. However, the lead was short-lived.
Inter Miami’s talisman, Lionel Messi, responded in the 24th minute, curling a free-kick from the right side that went untouched through the penalty area and into the far side of the net, marking his 101st goal for the club and his 20th league goal of the season. The Argentine maestro continues to lead the race for the 2026 MLS Golden Boot.
The home side then seized the lead in the 74th minute, with Luis Suárez finding the back of the net. The Uruguayan striker finished with a right-footed shot from inside the box after a precise threaded pass from Rodrigo De Paul, notching his 13th regular season goal. However, Inter Miami’s advantage was once again erased just eight minutes later, as Anders Dreyer completed his brace for San Diego FC in the 82nd minute, restoring parity to the scoreboard.
Eastern Conference Implications
The 2-2 stalemate means Inter Miami now holds a record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 10 draws, accumulating 46 points in the Eastern Conference standings. While they remain a strong contender, the draw prevents them from closing the gap on current Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC, who sit comfortably ahead. Inter Miami currently ranks 3rd in the conference.
This result marks the fourth consecutive MLS draw for Inter Miami, highlighting a recurring issue of conceding late goals that have cost them valuable points. New manager Kily González, overseeing his first Major League Soccer match, will undoubtedly be looking to address these defensive lapses as the season progresses.
Inter Miami will aim to break their streak of draws when they face the Columbus Crew next Sunday, while San Diego FC will travel to take on Austin FC next Saturday.