Lionel Messi, Cavan Sullivan shine in Subaru Park showdown

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Major League Soccer

·20 August 2026

Lionel Messi, Cavan Sullivan shine in Subaru Park showdown

By José Nuñez

The stars were shining at Subaru Park as Cavan Sullivan and the Philadelphia Union earned a point at home in a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in an incredibly entertaining, back-and-forth match featuring the Argentine legend and a potential future star of the US men's national team.

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Messi magic

Messi and Sullivan sharing the field was guaranteed to be a special occasion. It pitted the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner against a rising global star during a critical match for both teams, with the Union fighting to turn around their season while Inter Miami tries to keep pace in the Supporters’ Shield race.

Messi had 1g/1a, increasing his season total to 22 goal contributions in league play. His 13th goal of the season, in which the World Cup winner somehow found an inch of space away from Kai Wagner, gave the Herons a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute.

“I don’t know how he gets that out of his feet to find the finish, but that is why he is the greatest player ever," Union interim head coach Ryan Richter said. "He doesn’t need space to find a goal."

Creative Cavan

After two assists in a come-from-behind 3-2 win at New York City FC on Sunday, Sullivan had another strong performance against Messi and Miami.

The 16-year-old wonderkid recorded a secondary assist on Indiana Vassilev's opening goal in the 11th minute. Sullivan now has 1g/7a in 11 starts, playing a key role in the Union's five-match unbeaten run since the World Cup break and making a case for a spot on Mauricio Pochettino's next USMNT roster in the fall.

“The push we made in the second half, we showed ourselves and the rest of the league that we can hang with any team,” Richter said. “Not the result we wanted, because when we are at home, we go for wins… but the performance, the way we battled, the way we attacked the second half, really proud of that.”

Quick turnaround

Philadelphia look to continue their climb up the Eastern Conference table Saturday when they take on Austin FC (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV), while Inter Miami host Toronto FC Saturday (7:30 pm ET | Apple TV).