ATLANTA-. Another large crowd in Atlanta finally had the opportunity to see Lionel Messi in a match of the MLS.
Messi came off the bench with Inter Miami leading, but Alexey Miranchuk scored a blast in the 84th minute to help host Atlanta United salvage a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on Wednesday.
In any case, the point earned on foreign soil put the Herons and Messi a little closer to the Supporters’ Shield, a trophy awarded to the MLS leader after the regular season.
Messi was not in the starting lineup. Inter Miami played its second of three games in a week, and the Argentine star was expected to start on the bench.
Coach Gerardo Marino said he did not want to overwork his compatriot Messi, who has just recovered from the injury he suffered with Argentina in the Copa America final.
Inter Miami has a busy stretch ahead of it.
Uruguayan Luis Suarez, another Miami star, also started on the bench in a match that attracted a large crowd to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, mainly to see Messi. Suarez came on in the 80th minute.
Messi did not play a year ago when Inter Miami visited Atlanta, Martino’s former home, leaving the 71,635 spectators disappointed. This time, at least it was possible to see him for half an hour.
The 37-year-old made a strong return to the Florida club’s lineup on Saturday after a long absence. He scored two goals and assisted on another in a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.
This time he came on in the 61st minute, shortly after Ecuadorian Leo Campana had scored from a free kick that deflected off another player to give the visitors the lead.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to find the back of the net during his limited time on the pitch.
Miami has 63 points with five games remaining in the regular season. Twelve points behind are the Los Angeles Galaxy, which played Portland later in the day.
Messi showed some flashes, including a backheel pass to compatriot Federico Redondo, who missed his attempt to pass the ball back to him in a wall pass.
In stoppage time, Messi dribbled past three opponents in the box but was unable to get off a shot. Frustrated, he raised his arms when another pass was intercepted by Atlanta.
Miranchuk unleashed a left-footed shot from about 20 meters, to the upper left corner of the goal.
Inter Miami took the lead with a goal by Honduran David Ruiz in the 29th minute, after another deflection.
United equalized in the 56th when Saba Lobjanidze headed the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Drake Callender.
Campana gave the Garzas the lead with a free kick aimed to the right of the home goal. The ball deflected off Dax McCarty and into the net, leaving no chance for goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Two minutes later, Messi came on for Julian Gressel, to the acclaim of 67,795 fans.
