San Jose, CA – May 15, 2025 – In a pulsating Major League Soccer (MLS) clash at PayPal Park, Inter Miami and San Jose Earthquakes battled to a dramatic 3-3 draw, with Tadeo Allende stealing the spotlight with a brace. The match, which marked Lionel Messi’s first-ever MLS appearance in the Bay Area, was played in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000, with fans lining up hours before kickoff to catch a glimpse of the Argentine superstar.
Lightning-Fast Start Sets the Tone
Inter Miami wasted no time making an impact, scoring just 34 seconds into the match—the fastest goal in MLS this season. A well-worked short corner routine saw Jordi Alba deliver a pinpoint cross into the box, where Maximiliano Falcón rose highest to nod the ball past Daniel De Sousa Britto.
However, San Jose responded 91 seconds later, as Cristian Arango capitalized on a defensive miscue to slot home the equalizer. The Earthquakes’ high press forced Oscar Ustari into a poor clearance, allowing Cristian Espinoza to set up Arango for his ninth goal of the season.
Messi’s Magic and Miami’s Defensive Woes
Despite Miami’s early dominance, San Jose took control in the 37th minute, with Beau Leroux pouncing on a loose ball after Sergio Busquets’ clearance fell short. Leroux’s half-volley rifled past Ustari, giving the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead.
Miami found an equalizer just before halftime, thanks to Messi and Alba’s telepathic connection. Alba fizzed a low cross into the six-yard box, where Allende smashed home his first goal of the night in the 44th minute.
San Jose wasn’t done yet, though. In stoppage time, Ian Harkes curled a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner, sending the hosts into the break with a 3-2 advantage.
Allende Strikes Again as Miami Salvages a Point
Miami came out firing in the second half, and it took just seven minutes for them to level the score. Baltasar Rodríguez, who had come on as a substitute, delivered a low cross into the box, where Allende met it first-time, beating Britto to make it 3-3.
San Jose thought they had regained the lead in the 61st minute, but Espinoza’s goal was ruled out for offside after Ousseni Bouda was caught beyond the last defender in the buildup.
Messi had a golden opportunity to win it late, but his stoppage-time effort was blocked by Britto. Hernán López then fired a last-gasp shot just wide for San Jose, ensuring the points were shared.
Post-Match Drama: Messi’s Frustration Boils Over
After the final whistle, Messi confronted the referee over a non-call on a late tackle, earning himself a yellow card. San Jose’s coaching staff had to step in to prevent him from receiving a red card for dissent.
What’s Next?
Inter Miami, who have now avoided defeat in their last seven league matches when scoring first, will look to tighten their defense after conceding three or more goals in three of their last four games. Meanwhile, San Jose remains unbeaten in their last three matches, with Arango continuing his MLS Golden Boot charge.
This six-goal thriller showcased Messi’s influence, Allende’s brilliance, and San Jose’s attacking firepower. With both teams pushing for playoff spots, expect more fireworks in the coming weeks.
