MLS roundup: Messi scores in Inter Miami return, Atlanta United complete stunning comeback

Lionel Messi made his return to the field for Inter Miami following a period of injury recovery, scoring just two minutes after being substituted in during the second half of his team's 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Messi had been sidelined during Argentina's World Cup qualifiers in South America in the recent international break due to an adductor strain sustained in Miami's last Major League Soccer match, a 2-1 win against Atlanta on March 16.

Finnish winger Robert Taylor opened the scoring for Miami in the 23rd minute, converting a low pass from Benjamin Cremaschi after Jordi Alba advanced down the left side.

Coach Javier Mascherano introduced Messi in the 55th minute, and he quickly made an impact, finding the net within two minutes. Messi's former Barcelona teammate, Luis Suarez, assisted him on the right, allowing Messi to create space before delivering a low right-footed shot into the far corner.

Philadelphia equalized in the 80th minute when Quinn Sullivan delivered a cross from the right, which Hungarian midfielder Daniel Gazdag controlled before striking a precise shot into the goal.

Miami remains unbeaten and leads the Eastern Conference with four victories from their first five matches of the season.

The team is set for a demanding schedule, with an upcoming match against LAFC in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, followed by a home game against Toronto the following Sunday and a return match against LAFC three days later.

Mascherano noted that the decision to start Messi on the bench was a cautious one.

"We didn't want to risk him from the start because we thought he might be at risk playing the whole game, but we did want him to get some minutes," said the Argentine coach.

"The plan is that he can recover and travel to Los Angeles. He played today because he was fine. Maybe he wasn't ready for the full 90 minutes but it was good for him to play 45 minutes. If nothing unusual happens the plan is for him to travel," he added.

In an exhilarating match that featured seven goals, Atlanta United found themselves down 3-1 at home against New York City FC, following two goals from Wolff for the visitors. However, an own goal by Keaton Parks allowed Atlanta to re-enter the contest.

With just 15 minutes left on the clock, Miguel Almiron, who rejoined the club from Newcastle United during the pre-season transfer window, equalized with a well-placed header.

Shortly thereafter, Emmanuel Latte Lath, an Ivorian forward and a club-record signing at $22 million from Middlesbrough, capitalized on some uncertain defending to score the decisive goal in the 84th minute, bringing the score to 4-3.

In other matches, Uruguayan striker Diego Rossi netted two goals for the Columbus Crew in their 2-1 victory over DC United, while Canadian striker Tani Oluwaseyi scored twice for Minnesota United in their 2-0 triumph against Real Salt Lake.

Additionally, Spanish midfielder Carles Gil secured the win for the New England Revolution with a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time, leading to a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. Gil had initially put New England ahead with a stunning free-kick before former Bayern Munich forward Eric Choupo-Moting equalized for the Red Bulls.

SportsLigue