Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union: Live Score, Result, and Updates from MLS Match with Lionel Messi's Return

Lionel Messi is set to finally make his comeback from injury tonight as Inter Miami takes on the Philadelphia Union in a highly anticipated MLS regular season match at Chase Stadium.

The Argentine great has not played for his club in over three months, having cropped up with a nasty ankle injury in the Copa America final earlier this summer.

Now, he will be back on the field looking to help Inter Miami not only build towards the playoffs, but even maybe secure another trophy in the Supporters' Shield, which is awarded to the MLS regular season champion. The Herons sit in a comfortable position atop the standings with seven matches remaining in the campaign.

The Union, meanwhile, are in the thick of the playoff hunt, sitting two points outside a qualifying position but holding a game or two in hand on those around them.

The Sporting News is following the Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union live score ScoreGoal scorersInter Miami––Philadelphia Union––

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Referee: Sergii Boiko

Starting lineups:

Inter Miami (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Callender (GK) — 6. Aviles, 5. Busquets, 14. H. Martinez — 57. Weigandt, 55. Redondo, 20. D. Gomez, 15. Alba — 10. Messi, 9. Suarez, 24. Gressel.

Philadelphia Union (4-4-2 diamond, right to left): 76. Rick (GK) — 26. Harriel, 5. Glesnes, 3. Elliott, 27. Wagner — 31. Flach — 33. Q. Sullivan, 16. McGlynn — 10. Gazdag — 28. Baribo, 7. Uhre.

Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union live updates, highlights from MLS match

45 mins to kickoff: And there it is, Lionel Messi is officially back for Inter Miami, and STARTS from the jump. Sergio Busquets remains along the defensive line, with Diego Gomez in midfield. Benjamin Cremaschi remains stuck on the bench.

For Philadelphia, U.S. youth international Nathan Harriel comes in at right-back, while 18-year-old Andrew Rick starts in goal with Andre Blake injured on international duty. Alejandro Bedoya is rotated out for Quinn Sullivan, and the latter's younger brother, wonderkid Cavan Sullivan, is on the bench.

1 hour to kickoff: Lionel Messi is in the house. Lineups imminent...

Messi and Suarez arrive at Chase Stadium ahead of Miami's match against the Union.#InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/4kjGv0tA0L

— Alex Windley (@aaw_1998) September 14, 2024

1 hour 15 mins to kick: The Inter Miami dressing room is set and ready to go, and the team has used Lionel Messi's jersey to promo the match ahead, which all but confirms he will be back in the squad. You almost wonder whether he'll slot right back into the starting lineup...

The stage is set ✨#MIAvPHI | 7:30PM ET | #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/uUo31FTPfS pic.twitter.com/16Mb7qpq9i

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 14, 2024

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Uh oh, hopefully the weather doesn't have an adverse effect on the match tonight. But, you know, this is Florida, where storms can appear and disappear at seemingly a moment's notice...

Back at Chase Stadium ahead of Inter Miami’s highly anticipated match vs. The Union. Messi is set to return with Miami looking to continue its great run of form.

Looks like some thunderstorms are on the horizon as well.....#InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/eATb8ELsVs

— Alex Windley (@aaw_1998) September 14, 2024

1 hour 45 mins to kick: One fascinating potential possibility of this match is the chance that Lionel Messi, who is likely to come off the bench, could share the field with one of the game's most intriguing young prospects, Cavan Sullivan. The 14-year-old Philadelphia Union wonderkid has already been promised to Premier League giants Manchester City but will play with the MLS side until he can legally move to the UK and play Premier League football.

“Messi is the best player our game’s ever had,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said in the lead-up to this match, “and you have a young talent in Cavan Sullivan coming up that still has a heck of a lot of work to do, for sure. But I think you’ve seen now flashes with the national team, flashes with Union II, glimpses with the first team, training with us every day, and I think getting better.”

Could one or both come off the bench and share the pitch?

2 hours to kickoff: Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino confirmed that Lionel Messi will be back on the pitch tonight, but he did not commit to the Argentine star starting the match. Messi returned to Herons' training on Thursday, and would have done so a day prior had he not been ill.

Martino said that Messi is "in the plans for the game," but committed only to that. "After training we will figure out the strategy for him, but he is available" Martino said before Friday's session.

Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino says that Lionel Messi is no longer on a minutes restriction and could make his return to the pitch against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Messi hasn't featured in over 3 months for Inter Miami. pic.twitter.com/2yLjNvG8Xt

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 13, 2024Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union kickoff time

This MLS regular season match kicks off from Chase Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 14 at 7:30 p.m. local time in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:

 DateKickoff timeUSA/CanadaSat, Sep. 147:30 p.m. ETUSA/CanadaSat, Sep. 144:30 a.m. PTUKSun, Sep. 1512:30 a.m. BSTAustraliaSun, Sep. 159:30 a.m. AESTIndiaSun, Sep. 155 a.m. ISTInter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union lineups, team news, starting 11

Lionel Messi is fit to return for Inter Miami in this match, and he slots straight into the starting XI for Tata Martino.

Inter Miami are missing the likes of Nicolas Freire, Leo Afonso, and Facundo Farias to long-term injuries, while Matias Rojas is out for another few weeks with an ankle injury. Tomas Aviles will return from his red card suspension.

Inter Miami starting lineup (3-4-3): Callender (GK) — Aviles, Busquets, H. Martinez — Weigandt, Redondo, D. Gomez, Alba — Messi, Suarez, Gressel.

Inter Miami subs (9): Ustari (GK), Fray, Allen, Negri, Cremaschi, D. Ruiz, Bright, Taylor, Campana.

The September international break turned into a nightmare for the Philadelphia Union. Playmaking wizard Daniel Gazdag had to withdraw from international duty with Hungary due to a muscle injury, but he's ok to see the field here. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for star goalkeeper Andre Blake who picked up a groin problem with Jamaica and misses out. That's the Union's two most important players with recent fitness concerns.

Striker Tai Baribo didn't make it through warmups with the Israel national team against Italy, cropping up with a hamstring issue, but is fit to take part in this match. Jean Jacques wasn't so lucky, injuring his ankle while playing for Haiti and is likely to miss out.

Phildelphia Union starting lineup (4-4-2- diamond): Rick (GK) — Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner — Bueno — Sullivan, McGlynn — Gazdag — Baribo, Uhre.

Philadelphia Union subs (9): Semmle (GK), Mbaizo, Danley, Bueno, Bedoya, Rafanello, C. Sullivan, Donovan, Adeniran.

Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union live stream, TV channelDate: Saturday, September 14, 2024Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PTTV channel: Streaming: MLS Season Pass from Apple TV

The MLS match between Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union will be available exclusively to MLS Season Pass subscribers on Apple TV.

With the home stretch in view, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV is now offering its lowest price of the season. Fans can sign up for a seasonal subscription to MLS Season Pass for just $9.99 to catch the remainder of the 2024 season, including the MLS Cup playoffs. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up for a seasonal subscription to MLS Season Pass for free for the remainder of the 2024 season and playoffs.