The Argentine superstar had missed numerous scoring chances in his return from injury Saturday night against the LA Galaxy, but in the match's waning minutes, Messi scored the go-ahead goal, then assisted on another to help lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory.

Baltasar Rodríguez had a slow start to his Inter Miami career, but had one of his most influential appearances against D.C. United, scoring the tying goal just minutes after entering the match.

Javier Mascherano, Herons' coach, benched his Argentine compatriot, insisting the team must adapt, stating: 'We need the whole squad'