Inter Miami Aims for Second Straight Home Win Against Struggling Philadelphia Union

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to pursue their second consecutive home victory this Sunday as they take on a struggling Philadelphia Union squad, which is likely facing a summer of changes.

Miami (8-2-4, 28 points) finally achieved its first win at Nu Stadium, the team’s permanent facility that opened in early April, securing a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers last Sunday.

Messi scored his 12th goal and recorded his sixth assist, contributing directly to 11 Miami goals in his last four matches. German Berterame added his fifth MLS goal, all scored since April 11, helping the Herons end a four-match winless streak at their new home.

“It was a very good feeling because we really wanted to get past that situation,” stated Miami interim manager Guillermo Hoyos. “We had played some outstanding matches there before, but unfortunately couldn’t get the results we wanted. Thankfully, we finally broke that streak and left that behind us.”

With a win this Sunday, Miami would secure at least second place in the Eastern Conference before a break from late May to late July as MLS hosts events for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

Conversely, even if the Union (1-9-4, 7 points) win on Sunday, they will remain in last place in the Eastern Conference due to their dismal performance during a challenging spring.

This drastic decline comes in contrast to last season, where Philadelphia clinched the 2025 Supporters’ Shield, while the team’s sporting director Ernst Tanner is currently serving an MLS-imposed suspension for discriminatory language.

The investigation into Tanner’s conduct became public before Philadelphia’s loss to New York City in the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinal, with his ban scheduled to be lifted at the end of the month.

“On the first of June, there might be some announcements with regard to the whole process and the whole saga,” mentioned Philadelphia manager Bradley Carnell. “So maybe there will be some clarity there too.”

The Union managed to salvage a 1-1 draw at home against Columbus on May 16, with Milan Iloski scoring his team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 70th minute.

Philadelphia has lost three straight matches on the road but earned their only win of the season during an April visit to Montreal.