Lionel Messi scored his 19th MLS goal of the season, but Nashville SC struck in stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami. The result maintained Nashville's nine-point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference. Messi gave Miami the lead in the 62nd minute with a precise left-footed finish from 20 yards out after combining with Rodrigo De Paul.

He nearly added a second, but was denied by Brian Schwake and a last-ditch clearance by Jeisson Palacios. Nashville's Sam Surridge equalized in the first minute of added time after putting his team ahead in the fourth minute. Miami has now dropped 11 points from winning positions at home this season. "There's frustration -- feeling like we were the better side only to have the three points snatched away," said defender Facundo Mura.

With nine games remaining, Miami trails Nashville by nine points in the race for the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed and the Supporters' Shield. Nashville, which joined MLS alongside Miami in 2020, is now in prime position to claim its first Supporters' Shield. Miami, still awaiting Cristian "Kily" González to formally take over as coach, has won just once in its past nine games in all competitions.