MLS Roundup: Suarez, Son Score As Messi Returns In Miami Draw

Messi returns as Inter Miami draw

Messi back, Son on fire as MLS stars shine in saturday draws. Mendez debut goal denies Miami, Mueller penalty earns Vancouver point.

Messi makes MLS return in Inter Miami draw, Whitecaps and LAFC finish level...

 

Lionel Messi was back in MLS action on Saturday after World Cup duty, coming off the bench in the second half as Inter Miami settled for a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew.

Just two weeks after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain, Messi returned in the 53rd minute to a big ovation from the crowd at Miami’s Nu Stadium.

Messi couldn’t cap his comeback with a goal, however, firing two shots wide of the target.

Luis Suarez struck again for Miami, scoring in the 16th minute for his 7th goal in his last 4 games to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.

Columbus got back on level terms in the 34th minute when Miami midfielder Casemiro, a former Man United and Real Madrid player, turned the ball into his own net to make it 1-1.

Suarez turned provider before the break, setting up Noah Allen for a header that put Miami back in front 2-1 at halftime.

Columbus substitute Brais Mendez rescued a point on his debut. The midfielder, who just joined from Real Sociedad, bent in an 84th-minute free kick for the 2-2 equalizer.

 

The draw snapped Miami’s 6-game winning run. They stay 2nd in the Eastern Conference, trailing Nashville, who also drew 2-2 at DC United.

In the West, LAFC and Vancouver Whitecaps stayed tied on points at the top after a 1-1 draw at BC Place.

Luis Suarez from long range! 😱

Seven goals in four games from the @InterMiamiCF striker. pic.twitter.com/NFkU26vjDJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2026

Son Heung-min scored for the 4th straight MLS game since the World Cup break, putting LAFC ahead in the 37th minute.

 

Vancouver’s German star Thomas Mueller answered in the 76th minute, converting a penalty to level it at 1-1.

  

The ex-Tottenham forward, who took much of the criticism after South Korea missed the World Cup knockout stage, was also named MVP of Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game.