Dreyer’s Late Double Earns San Diego Draw Against Messi’s Inter Miami
Lionel Messi reached 101 goals for Inter Miami, but Anders Dreyer’s late second strike denied Kily González a winning start to his MLS tenure as San Diego FC claimed a 2-2 draw in Miami on Sunday night.
Messi milestone cannot end Miami’s draw sequence
Inter Miami were held for a fourth straight MLS match despite recovering from an early setback and leading with 16 minutes remaining. The result leaves the Herons third in the Eastern Conference on 46 points from a 12-4-10 record, 11 points behind leaders Nashville.
González took charge of his first league fixture after only four days with the squad, and his principal concern afterwards was the defending that allowed San Diego to score twice.
The Miami coach said the team had not been able to work properly on the training ground and must become more secure without the ball. He described the defensive errors as costly, adding that Miami were fortunate to avoid defeat because goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made an important save.
San Diego strike first before Messi responds
Dreyer put the visitors in front after 12 minutes. Jeppe Tverskov played a pass through the middle and the San Diego forward lifted his finish over St. Clair for 1-0.
Messi levelled in the 24th minute with his 20th MLS goal of the campaign. His free kick from the right travelled through the penalty area without a touch before finding the far corner.
- Messi’s goal was his 101st in all competitions for Inter Miami.
- It came four days after his 100th Miami goal, scored in the 2-0 Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul.
- The set piece was his eighth MLS free-kick goal since joining the league in 2023, the most by any player in that period.
González felt the midweek Campeones Cup success may have contributed to a complacent opening half. He said Miami altered their approach at the interval, seeking a more compact shape and closer lines after suffering too often before the break.
Dreyer’s second prevents move into second place
Luis Suárez appeared to have won it for Miami when he scored in the 74th minute, a goal that had the side on course to move above New England into second in the East.
San Diego instead found an equaliser eight minutes later. Dreyer ran onto a ball played over Miami’s defence and produced another composed finish to secure his brace and a point for the visitors.
González said there were encouraging elements in Miami’s performance, but stressed that the back line requires further work. With the club expected to compete for victory in every match, he said the defensive side of the game was the issue that most needed attention.
| Match detail | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 2-2 San Diego FC |
| Miami scorers | Messi 24’, Suárez 74’ |
| San Diego scorer | Dreyer 12’, 82’ |
| Miami MLS position | Third, 46 points |
Women’s Champions Cup finals confirmed for Miami
Before the match, FIFA confirmed that the final phase of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will take place at Nu Stadium, Inter Miami’s home, in January.
FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis said Miami had demonstrated its appetite for the sport during the summer World Cup and that staging a major women’s competition in the city was an exciting opportunity.
Inter Miami return to MLS action next Sunday away to Columbus Crew. San Diego will travel to Austin FC on Saturday.
