Union Inter Miami 3-3

Union let Messi and Inter Miami off the hook in 3–3 draw at Subaru Park

The Philadelphia Union were nine minutes away from making a massive statement against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF on Saturday night. Instead, they coughed up a two-goal lead and walked away with a 3–3 draw that felt a lot more like a loss.

That’s still nine straight unbeaten for the Union in all competitions, but letting Messi magic and some lazy defending spoil what could’ve been a signature win is going to sting for a bit.

At the very least, Cooper DeJean was in the building for a good one…

Flying Start, Dominant First Half

The Union came out swinging. In the 7th minute, Quinn Sullivan continued his breakout campaign by smashing home a beauty from the top of the box after a clever corner from Kai Wagner. The 20-year-old looks like a guy who’ll be wearing red, white, and blue this summer — and maybe even headed to Europe before too long.

Kai Wager to Quinn Sullivan:

Just before halftime, Tai Baribo doubled the lead. Uhre and Vassilev combined to find Baribo, who did what he does best — finish. That’s his 12th of the season and set the stage for what should’ve been a comfortable second half.

Baribo Bags Another, History Made

In the 73rd, Baribo pounced on a mistake and finished unassisted for his 13th of the year — making him the fourth player in MLS history to hit 13 goals in his first 15 games of a season. Oh, and he’s also the first Philly player ever with four multi-goal games in a single season. Guy’s on fire.

Tai Baribo’s League-leading 12th and 13th goals

Then It Fell Apart… Again…For The Philadelphia Union

But as we’ve seen far too many times with this team, they couldn’t close the door. Messi pulled one back in the 87th on a ridiculous free kick because, of course he did. And then Telasco Segovia delivered the final punch in stoppage time to make it 3–3 and send Subaru Park into stunned silence.

Even with Baribo’s brilliance and Rojas doing his thing in the midfield, the Union once again fell victim to lapses in defensive shape and focus. The third goal came with the Union completely on their heels, parking the bus like they were holding onto a Champions League semifinal. It backfired.

Final Thoughts

This draw keeps the Philly atop the East and extends their unbeaten run to nine, but that’s small comfort after throwing away a result like this. When you’re up 3–1 at home in the 87th minute, you have to see that out. You just have to.

Baribo was electric, Sullivan keeps taking steps forward, and the Union played some excellent ball for 75 minutes. But there’s a mental block with this team late in matches, and if they want to be more than regular season darlings, that has to change.

Toronto’s up next. Let’s hope the Union don’t leave the door open again.

Read More: Union stay hot, smash Pittsburgh 4-1 to march into Open Cup quarterfinals

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