Overview
- Sam Surridge won and converted a VAR-confirmed penalty before Josh Bauer’s header made it 2-0 late in the first half at GEODIS Park.
- Lionel Messi curled in a spectacular 89th-minute strike for Miami, but the late response could not prevent a 2-1 defeat.
- The match was played in heavy rain, conditions Nashville handled more effectively to level the series at 1-1.
- The decisive third game will be hosted by Inter Miami at Chase Stadium next weekend under the MLS best-of-three format.
- The winner advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals to meet either FC Cincinnati or Columbus Crew, with Miami coach Javier Mascherano stressing caution and key veterans such as Jordi Alba and Rodrigo De Paul available.