Heading into the match, Miami sit sixth in the Eastern Conference on 22 points, while the Union are first on 29 points and come off wins against Atlanta United and the LA Galaxy in MLS and a U.S. Open Cup victory over the second-division Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Messi had Inter Miami’s best first-half chance at the 33-minute mark, when he left-footed a shot off an Ian Fray assist, but it was saved in the bottom right corner by Union keeper Andrew Rick.