Match Thoughts: Philadelphia Union 3, Inter Miami 3

The Union failed to close out another top-tier Eastern Conference foe at home on Saturday.

CHESTER — When Lionel Messi lined up for his free kick in the 87th minute on Saturday night, there was an aura of inevitability not just that he would score, but that Inter Miami would find a way to get a result off the Philadelphia Union.

Sure enough, the Union were left shaking their heads at home for the second time in two weeks after the concession of a stoppage-time equalizer to one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Messi’s free-kick goal accelerated the heartbreak inside Subaru Park, but in all reality, there were warning signs as early as the first 15 minutes that Inter Miami could be successful against the Union.

To the Union’s credit, they scored three times and had Miami on the ropes, but just like with the Columbus Crew, they were unable to finish the job.

The positive spin was put on the result after the game, but it’s easy to disagree with that mentality because of how things played out over 90 minutes.

“I’m proud of the group that we’ve got to this point where we’re disappointed with this type of result,” Union manager Bradley Carnell said. “It’s good experience for us and we need to learn how to close out games. This is part of the process with the young group that we have.”