No Messi, no problem! Inter Miami drops Sporting Kansas City, 3-2, to keep playoff hopes alive as captain recovers from Argentina’s World Cup qualifier win over Ecuador

Inter Miami were without Lionel Messi on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, but the Herons still managed to keep their MLS play-off hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City.

Playing without Messi and seven others due to national team duties, Miami still improved to 3-0-1 in its past four MLS games and was undefeated in 12 straight games in all competitions.

Kansas City ended its two-match winning streak and allowed three goals in an MLS match for the first time since May 20.

KC’s Daniel Salloi was in the right place at the right time and gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute.

Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender put his hands up to stop a long-range shot from Felipe Gutierrez, but was unable to snare the rebound and was beaten by Salloi on the edge of the six-yard box.

However, Leonardo Campana took advantage of a penalty to bring Miami level in the 25th minute, punching past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Tim Melia.

Campana’s second of the match put the home side 2-1 ahead in the 45th minute. After losing control of the ball in the box, DeAndre Yedlin recovered the ball low on the right side and made a cross that Campana headed past Melia.

Miami took advantage of Kansas City’s nap on a quick restart after a stoppage to extend the lead to 3-1 in the 60th minute.

As defender Andreu Fontas tried to argue a handball against Miami, Sergio Busquets took the ball for a free kick and sent a long pass to Facundo Farias, who drove unmarked to the right before firing it past Melia.

Alan Pulido scored from high in the penalty area into the far corner to reduce the score to 3-2 in the 78th minute.

Tim Leibold nearly tied Kansas City in the 85th minute with a shot from just inside the box that was blocked by Miami defender Kamal Miller and went wide.

The very first match between the clubs was a great one for the Herons as they stayed in touch with the Eastern Conference play-offs.

Messi controls the ball during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador

Lionel Messi waved to fans as he was spotted leaving a medical center in Argentina on Saturday

Messi played for Argentina in the team’s 1-0 win against Ecuador on Thursday, scoring a brilliant free-kick to seal the win, but may have suffered a minor injury.

He was substituted in the 89th minute and it was later confirmed by coach Lionel Scaloni that he ‘felt something’ and asked to be removed.

Messi has since undergone medical tests as a precaution and was seen leaving the IMAXE medical center on Saturday as hundreds of fans clamored for a glimpse of him outside the facilities.

The Inter Miami man smiled and waved at the fans and did not appear to be limping, but his presence at the medical center will cause concern for fans of both his club and his country.

The Inter Miami squad is still in the play-off race and sits six points ahead of the East’s nine seeds

Inter Miami is in penultimate place in the East, but is only eight points behind DC United, which currently occupies the last play-off spot.

Miami is on 28 points with 26 games played, while the ninth-placed DC side has 34 points from 28 games.

Only one point above Wayne Rooney’s team is CF Montreal, which has played 27 games.