Surging Union out to extend Inter Miami's recent woes

Field Level Media|published: Tue 18th August, 19:08 2026

Aug 15, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) attacks during the first half against Nashville SC at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

When the Philadelphia Union host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in Chester, Pa., on Wednesday evening, they will set out to extend their perfect run since Major League Soccer's World Cup break.

The Union (5-10-4, 19 points) scored three unanswered goals on Sunday, including two in six minutes from Bruno Damiani, to defeat New York City FC 3-2 for their first four-match winning streak since 2023. A victory against Miami would give Philadelphia five straight regular-season wins for the first time since 2022.

While the Union lost the last meeting, a wild 6-4 affair in Miami on May 24 that saw Philadelphia build a 2-0 lead inside of 10 minutes, interim head coach Ryan Richter is expecting a much different showing this time around.

That is thanks in part to 16-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan, who had two assists against NYCFC on Sunday to increase his team-high total to six.

"It's what we know he's capable of, so to see him doing it in MLS games and being decisive in the last two games that he played (including) in New York City the other day, that's a great piece for him to continue to add," Richter said.

Inter Miami (11-3-5, 38 points) saw a 6-0-1 stretch in league play end on Saturday with a 4-1 rout at Nashville SC. Counting back-to-back defeats to Monterrey and Leon in Leagues Cup, Miami has lost three matches in a row across all competitions.

Wednesday marks six matches in 19 days for Miami, a fact that isn't sitting well with interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos.

"I think players are often exploited. They are pushed too hard because recovery times are frequently inadequate," Hoyos said, per ESPN. "This is an issue that needs addressing to improve the quality of the sport."

Telasco Segovia scored Miami's lone goal on Saturday, his third of the season. Messi's team-high 12 goals are tied with three other players for fourth in the Golden Boot standings.

Philadelphia midfielder Jovan Lukic will miss Wednesday's match due to yellow card accumulation.

--Field Level Media

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