Inter Miami CF battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night at PayPal Park, powered by a brace from midfielder Tadeo Allende and a milestone goal from defender Maximiliano Falcón.
In a match filled with momentum shifts and highlight-worthy moments, Inter Miami came out of the gates flying. Just 35 seconds into the game, Falcón opened his scoring account for the club with a towering header off a corner kick delivered by Jordi Alba. The early strike was the third fastest goal in Inter Miami’s history and marked Alba’s fifth assist of the regular season and sixth overall this year.
However, San Jose responded swiftly. The Earthquakes equalized in the 3rd minute through Chicho Arango, then took a 2-1 lead in the 37th minute via a finish from Beau Leroux. Despite the early spark, Miami found themselves chasing the game before halftime.
But the Herons answered back before the break. In the 44th minute, Lionel Messi picked out Alba on the left wing with a pinpoint pass. Alba’s cross, deflected en route, fell kindly to Allende, who finished confidently with a right-footed shot to level the score at 2-2. The goal was Allende’s third in MLS play and fifth across all competitions this season.
San Jose wasn’t done either. The Earthquakes reclaimed the lead in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time thanks to Ian Harkes, giving the hosts a 3-2 advantage heading into the interval.
Inter Miami responded again early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, midfielder Yannick Bright sparked a counterattack with a ball recovery and drive forward. Messi then weaved through the midfield and released Baltasar Rodríguez—making his club debut—down the right flank. Rodríguez whipped in a low cross that found Allende in the box for a close-range finish, completing his brace and knotting the score at 3-3. It marked Allende’s fourth MLS goal (sixth overall) and Rodríguez’s first assist for the club, with Messi earning the secondary assist—his third of the league campaign.
Both sides pressed for a winner, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough, and the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino will take several positives from the performance, particularly the fight shown by his side in hostile territory and the emergence of Allende as a consistent attacking threat. The draw moves Inter Miami another point closer to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Next up, the Herons return home to Chase Stadium to host in-state rivals Orlando City SC this Sunday, May 18 at 7 p.m. ET—a crucial matchup that promises fireworks in South Florida.
