Messi and Robert Taylor scored for Miami, then Dániel Gazdag scored a consolation goal late in the second half. The Union outshot Miami 18-5, but most of the looks weren't as good as the home team's.

Lionel Messi made an immediate impact for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with what became the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that lifted the Herons into first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

Lionel Messi was not in Inter Miami’s starting lineup on Saturday, but was in uniform as he arrived with the team and expected to start the game on the bench.