Miami, FL
Inter Miami player ratings vs Philadelphia Union: Lionel Messi returns with a bang as Herons move atop Supporters' Shield standings | Goal.com
The Herons kept their unbeaten start to 2025 alive, courtesy of a second-half winner from the Argentine superstar
Lionel Messi returned to competitive action for Inter Miami on Saturday evening, coming off the bench to score a brilliant solo goal in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. The victory sent the Herons to the top of both the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings and the Eastern Conference.
In a matchup between the league’s top two teams entering Matchday 6, Miami and Philadelphia delivered a thrilling contest, with Javier Mascherano’s side emerging victorious.
The hosts struck first when Finland international Robert Taylor finished off a well-worked move midway through the first half. A pinpoint Jordi Alba cross found U.S. international Benjamin Cremaschi, who set up Taylor for a one-time finish in the box.
Trailing at halftime, the Union brought on U.S. international Indiana Vassilev, but 10 minutes later, Messi entered the fray – and wasted no time making his mark.
Just two minutes after coming on, the Argentine received a pass from Luis Suárez, danced through defenders with dazzling footwork, and slotted home a stunning finish to double Miami’s lead.
Philadelphia fought back, pulling one back in the 80th minute when Daniel Gazdag converted a cross from U.S. youth international Quinn Sullivan – older brother of teenage phenom Cavan. But it wasn’t enough, as Miami held firm to secure the win.
The match was heated, with the hosts picking up seven yellow cards, but the three points were crucial in keeping Miami atop the standings.
Now, the Herons face a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday. If Saturday’s performance was any indication, they remain as dangerous as ever.
GOAL rates Inter Miami’s players from Chase Stadium…
Should the CFP committee rethink the playoff schedule format?
Extended breaks and logistical challenges have reopened questions about whether the College Football Playoff committee should adjust the playoff schedule format.
Mississippi football’s Nick Cull avoided an ejection during the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 8.
As Malachi Toney reeled in a catch from Carson Beck at the Miami 49 in the first quarter, he was hit by Cull in a helmet-to-helmet collision. Right away, the officials flagged Cull for targeting, with both Toney and Cull staying down on the field with an injury.
After officials reviewed the play, the call on the field was overturned, as the officials determined that Cull did not launch and the collision seemed to be incidental. Replay assistant Matt Austin concurred with the call on the field.
The play had a major impact on the game as well. If the call had been upheld, Miami would have had the ball at the Ole Miss 34-yard line with a chance to expand its 3-0 lead. However, a few plays later, the Hurricanes were forced to punt from the 49-yard line.
On the first play of the second quarter, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacey scored on a 73-yard run to give the Rebels a 7-3 lead.
Because he was not called for targeting, Cull was not ejected from the game, which means Ole Miss will have him for the remainder of the game, if he can clear the concussion protocol. He was in the tent following the play.
Cull has 15 total tackles and three pass deflections this season for the Rebels.
Meanwhile, Toney went to the medical tent briefly for the Hurricanes, but returned to the game.
A crash involving an unmarked Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office vehicle was reported in Northwest Miami-Dade on Thursday morning, and the morning commute was impacted as a result.
Few details have been released, but the crash was reported in the area of Northwest 79th street and Interstate 95.
Video from the scene showed that the vehicles had heavy damage.
The sheriff’s office said the crash also involved a civilian vehicle, and no injuries were reported.
No other information was released.Â
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that guard Anthony Edwards is now available to play in Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Heat after originally being listed as questionable with right foot injury maintenance.
Here’s the rest of the injury report and game preview:
INJURY REPORT
HEAT
Tyler Herro: Available – Toe
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Out – Ankle
Nikola Jovic: Available – Groin
Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team
TIMBERWOLVES
Anthony Edwards: Available – Foot
Terrence Shannon Jr.: Out – Foot
Joan Beringer: Out – G League
Game date, time and location:Â Tuesday, Jan. 6, 8:00 p.m. EST, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV:Â TV: Peacock,
Radio:Â 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida) 100.3 FM (Minnesota)
VITALS: The Miami Heat (20-16) and Minnesota Timberwolves (23-13) meet for the second and final regular season matchup after just facing off three days ago with Minnesota recording a, 125-115, win in Miami on January 3. The teams split the series, 1-1, last season with each squad winning on the road. The Heat are 36-35 all-time versus Minnesota during the regular season,
including 19-16 in home games and 17-19 in road games.
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Davion Mitchell
G Tyler Herro
C Bam Adebayo
F Norman Powell
F Andrew Wiggins
TIMBERWOLVES
G Donte DiVincenzo
G Anthony Edwards
C Rudy Gobert
F Jaden McDaniels
F Julius Randle
Spread: Heat +5.5 (-112), Timberwolves -5.5 (-108)
Moneyline: Heat +166, Timberwolves -198
Total points scored: 239.5 (over -106, under -114)
QUOTABLE
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on the forced turnovers: “That is and has to be our identity. We have to play with a recklessness and activity level that exceeds our opponent, and thats not to put down our talent level or anything like that, it’s more about we look different when we’re flying around and making plays and making it tough for the opponent.”
For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.
Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket
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