Overview

• Inter Miami and the San Jose Earthquakes tied 3-3 in a high-energy match at PayPal Park, marking Lionel Messi's first MLS appearance in the Bay Area.
• Tadeo Allende scored two goals for Inter Miami, including a second-half equalizer set up by Messi, while the Earthquakes' Ian Harkes secured a first-half lead with a late goal.
• Messi's performance featured several near misses, including a stoppage-time opportunity thwarted by the Earthquakes' goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Britto.
• After the final whistle, Messi received a yellow card for confronting referee Joe Dickerson over a no-call on a late tackle just outside the box during stoppage time.
• The sold-out crowd of 18,000 highlighted the cultural and commercial impact of Messi's presence, with fans gathering for days outside his hotel and attending pregame festivities like a Steve Aoki concert.