Regardless of lacking star man Lionel Messi and having two males despatched off, Inter Miami produced a sensational late winner to beat the Philadelphia Union.
David Beckham’s staff are having fun with a superb season after their struggles of final yr, and maybe one of the best second of the season got here with out their World Cup winner on the sector.
Whereas Messi is away with Argentina, Gerardo Martino’s staff headed to Japanese Convention rivals Philly, and what may have been a catastrophe was an evening to recollect – particularly for one rookie.
Leo Afonso, who has solely not too long ago been promoted to the primary staff after graduating from the academy set-up, grew to become the match-winner within the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to stun the house crowd.
His first purpose for the staff got here on an evening with Messi and Luis Suarez lacking from the Miami lineup forward of Copa America.
Leo Afonso wheels away in celebration after sealing a stoppage-time winner for Inter Miami
It was an evening to recollect for the league leaders, regardless of the absence of Lionel Messi
Miami additionally noticed David Ruiz and Tomas Aviles every despatched off within the second half as each had been proven their second yellow playing cards.
Union, in the meantime, have now misplaced seven straight video games at residence – a run stretching again to March 30.
Lacking main scorers Daniel Gazdag and Julian Carranza, the Union opened the scoring within the third minute. Mikael Uhre obtained on the top of a ball from Jakob Glesnes, beat his defender, and fired it previous Drake Callender for his sixth purpose of the season.
The Union sought to double their lead within the thirteenth minute as Quinn Sullivan was put by means of, however he may solely fireplace broad of the goal.
Messi is presently on worldwide obligation with Argentina forward of Copa America subsequent week
Inter Miami obtained two purple playing cards in Philadelphia, however nonetheless walked away with all three factors
With out Messi and Suarez, Miami initially struggled to discover a circulation offensively, not being credited with a shot on purpose — or a single shot, for that matter — till the thirty ninth minute.
However the breakthrough got here within the forty seventh minute as Julian Gressel ripped a right-footed effort previous Oliver Semmle for his first purpose of the season, tying the match at 1-1.
After seeing their ranks diminished to 9 males — first as David Ruiz was proven his second yellow card within the 69th minute earlier than Tomas Aviles picked up his personal second warning within the 88th minute — Miami discovered an unbelievable winner by means of Afonso, snapping a quick two-match winless run within the course of.
The victory sees Inter Miami lengthen their lead on the high of the MLS Japanese Convention, with 11 wins from their first 19 video games of the season.
