MLS Cup Playoffs: Nashville SC Beats Inter Miami 2-1 in Game 1

Nashville SC edges Inter Miami 2-1 in thrilling game 1

Nashville SC extends their playoff series with Inter Miami CF after a thrilling 2-1 win in Game 1. Lionel Messi's 89th-minute goal wasn't enough for Miami, as Nashville SC's determination and skill earned them a crucial victory.

Lionel Messi cut the deficit to one goal with a brilliant individual effort, firing a left-footed shot into the top right corner...

Lionel Messi's 89th-minute goal wasn't enough to rescue Inter Miami from a 2-1 loss to Nashville SC in their MLS Cup playoff series. Despite Messi's late heroics, Nashville held firm to stay alive in the series.

Nashville took control of the match with first-half goals from Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer. Surridge converted a penalty in the 9th minute after Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo hesitated coming off his line, while Bauer doubled the lead just before halftime with a left-footed finish off a corner kick from Hany Mukhtar.

The loss forces Inter Miami to host a decisive Game 3 after they had taken a 3-1 win in the first leg of the series. Messi's brilliant goal came too late to change the course of the match, and now Miami will have to win the next game to advance in the playoffs.

Full time in Nashville. pic.twitter.com/MWKpsMFyOp

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 2, 2025

 

Nashville took the lead in the 9th minute when Surridge converted apenalty kick, calmly slotting the ball low to the right of Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo.

The penalty was awarded after Rios Novo hesitated coming off his line to challenge Surridge, who capitalized on the opportunity to put the hosts ahead.

Nashville doubled their lead just on the stroke of halftime, Josh Bauer scoring with a sliding left-footed shot off a corner kick floated in by Hany Mukhtar.

Miami came out with renewed intensity in the second half, but their efforts were thwarted by Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis, who parried a close-range shot from Luis Suarez in the 66th minute.

Miami pushed forward, but their attempts to create scoring opportunities were thwarted, including Ian Fray's blocked shot from inside the box.

Lionel Messi took matters into his own hands in the final minutes, but his efforts were initially denied. He had two shots blocked in quick succession - one from a tight angle in the 85th minute and another from the center of the box in the 86th. However, Messi finally got his reward in the 89th minute, finding the back of the net to reduce the deficit.

Lionel Messi cut the deficit to one goal with a brilliant individual effort, firing a left-footed shot into the top right corner from the top right corner of the box after being found by Rodrigo De Paul.

The loss sets up a decisive Game 3 for Miami, who will host Nashville at home after taking a 3-1 lead in the series opener thanks to a Messi brace. The stakes are high for the final match, with the winner advancing in the playoffs.

Philadelphia Advances

The Philadelphia Union dominated Chicago Fire, winning 3-0 to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Tai Baribo opened the scoring with two clinical finishes in the 8th and 16th minutes, before Bruno Damiani sealed the win with a third goal in the 35th minute.

THROUGH IN TWO! 🙌#DOOP | @PennMedicine pic.twitter.com/4Cr1zjJyyg

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) November 1, 2025

Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake made a crucial save on a penalty from Brian Gutierrez in the 32nd minute, and otherwise had a relatively quiet game as Philadelphia won 3-0.

The Union will now await the winner of the series between Charlotte FC and New York City FC, having already secured a favorable position with a win and a penalty shootout victory in Game 1.

Charlotte FC forced a deciding Game 3 against New York City FC with a thrilling penalty shootout victory at Yankee Stadium. Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made the decisive save on Agustin Ojeda's attempt, diving left to punch the ball away and send Charlotte through.

The match itself ended goalless, with the teams unable to find the net despite their best efforts. Charlotte ultimately prevailed 7-6 in the shootout, thanks to Nathan Byrne's game-winning blast up the middle past NYCFC keeper Matt Freese.

Charlotte FC will look to force a deciding Game 3 after dropping the opening match 1-0, with the crucial game scheduled for Friday.

In the Western Conference, Vancouver Whitecaps staged a dramatic comeback to advance after FC Dallas failed to hold onto their lead. Ralph Priso scored in stoppage time to level the match 1-1, and the Whitecaps won the tie in a penalty shootout. Priso's equalizer came after Sebastian Berhalter's corner kick found Thomas Muller, who set up Priso for the decisive goal, initially saved but Priso slotted home the rebound.

Vancouver Whitecaps bounced back from an early deficit to force a penalty shootout, which they won after Ralph Priso's stoppage-time equalizer leveled the series' second leg 1-1. Peter Musa had given FC Dallas the lead in the 25th minute, but Priso's late strike set up the shootout win.

The Whitecaps, who won the opening game 3-0, advanced thanks to successful penalty kicks from Muller, Berhalter, Kenji Cabrera, and Belal Halbouni. They'll now host the winner of the series between Los Angeles FC and Austin FC in the Western Conference semifinals.

In another thrilling matchup, the Portland Timbers forced a deciding Game 3 against top-seeded San Diego FC after a 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout win.