Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami CF combined for one of the most explosive first halves in MLS history on Sunday night, with the hosts ultimately earning a 6-4 victory.
Milan Iloski delivered a historic performance for the Boys in Blue, recording a first-half hat trick with three goals before halftime, including a pair of penalty kick conversions. Philadelphia and Inter Miami combined for eight goals in the opening 45 minutes, setting the MLS record for the most goals scored in the first half of a league match. Bruno Damiani also found the scoresheet in the 20th minute for his first regular season goal with the Union.
The Union struck first and repeatedly answered throughout the back-and-forth battle, while Inter Miami responded with three consecutive goals to take a 4-3 lead before Iloski completed his hat trick just before halftime to level the match at 4-4.
Both sides were unable to maintain the frantic scoring pace after halftime, with Inter Miami reclaiming the lead in the 81st minute through Luis Suárez. Rodrigo De Paul added an insurance goal in stoppage time as Miami secured the victory heading into the World Cup break.
While the Boys in Blue are on break due to the FIFA World Cup, fans are invited to Soccer Celebration, presented by Michelob ULTRA. The free, fan-focused experience is set to take over Union Yards throughout the summer’s global tournament, giving fans a place to come together and watch the world’s biggest matches. The series kicks off on Thursday, June 11 with live viewings of the opening FIFA World Cup 2026TM group-stage match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET).
Michelob ULTRA will hold a kickoff event at Union Yards on Saturday, May 30, setting the tone for the tournament. Fans are encouraged to stop by, catch the action, and take part in an interactive experience for a chance to win two tickets to one of this summer’s matches in Philadelphia. To enter, fans can test their skills at the Pop-A-Shot challenge at Union Yards, with the top scorer at the end of the day taking home the prize.
Throughout the tournament, Union Yards and Reaney Street will serve as a central gathering place for fans to enjoy a full slate of entertainment such as live music, special appearances, interactive games, giveaways, and more as well as live viewings of select FIFA World Cup 2026TM matches on a large LED screen.
Soccer Celebration will be free to attend with advance registration. Fans interested in learning more information and getting their complimentary ticket through SeatGeek, the Philadelphia Union’s official ticketing partner, are encouraged to click HERE.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
The Philadelphia Union had a lengthy injury list for their final match before the World Cup break, leaning on depth for their lineup against a star-studded Inter Miami led by Leo Messi.Â
Andre Blake started between the posts, behind a backline featuring Nathan Harriel, Geiner Martinez, Frankie Westfield, and Ben Bender, who reprised his outside back role while Harriel shifted to centerback.Â
In his final match before joining Haiti for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Danley Jean Jacques was paired with Jovan Lukic at the six, in the midfield with Cavan Sullivan and Agustin Anello, while Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani were paired up top.Â
On the bench, Andrew Rick was the backup, sitting next to Phillipe Ndinga, Finn Sundstrom, Alejandro Bedoya, Jesus Bueno, Kellan LeBlanc, Jeremy Rafanello, and Ezekiel Alladoh.Â
4’, Union go up early! | Four minutes into the match, a short throw-in from Westfield to Sullivan back to Westfield spurred a play up the right sideline that unfolded into the first goal of the night – with a chip into the box from Sullivan finding Westfield’s headf for a nod back toward Iloski who palced it past Miami keeper Dayne St. Clair.
9’, Costly yellow for Miami | Miami keeper Dayne St. Clair was shown a yellow for a costly foul on Iloski that gave the number 10 a shot from the spot.
10’, Iloski gets a first half brace! | With boosted confidence opening scoring, Iloski shot it straight while St. Clair dove left, to make it 2-0 early.
13, Miami goal | Germán Berterame got one back for the hosts three minutes later, when Messi capitalized on a short touch from Ben Bender, finding his teammate in front of the net.Â
16’, Union yellow | Philly’s Martinez was shown the first yellow card of the night for a foul on Messi in the 16th minute.
20’, Damiani makes it 3 for Philly | Bruno Damiani opened his 2026 account in a massive moment for the Union, but the team’s third goal of the night was a team effort starting with an skillful move from Sullivan on the left side. Unratteld by the difference in years of experience between he and his seasoned opponents, the 16-year-old dribbled through two pairs of players in pink to find himself in front of the net, finding Danley, who passed to Anello, who gave the ball to Westfield in space for a shot from just inside the box. While St. Clair blocked the initial attempt, Damiani was vigilant to run onto the deflection, scoring his first goal of the year to make it 3-1.
29’, Miami goal | Luis Suarez scored Miami’s second og the night, scoring off an assist from Ian Fray from the center of the box.
42’, Miami equalizes | After just over 10 minutes of fast-paced play from both sides, Berterame scored his second of the night to equalize with a shot from the center of the box assisted by Messi.Â
44, Miami claims their first lead | Suarez kept the momentum for the Florida side as he earned a brace of his own, placing a shot to the bottom left corner past Blake to make it 4-3.
45+4, Offsides | A missed Miami handball call during Philadelphia Union's previous possession was sent to VAR and ruled in favor of Philly, giving the team another chance from the spot.Â
Iloski equalizes with a hat trick! | In his second trip to the penalty spot on the night, Iloski secured a hat trick, perfectly placing his shot, sending it top bins while St. Clair again guessed left.
Historic first half |Â With eight goals in the first 45, the first half was unsurprisingly a historic one. The 4-4 scoreline set the record for the most combined goals between two teams scored in the first half.
57', First Union sub | Carnell made his first change in the 58th minute, replacing Agustin Anello with club record signing Ezekiel Alladoh.Â
60', Monsoon ensues |Â The unpredictable South Florida weather took a turn for the worst just as another potential Iloski penalty chance was overturned because Damiani was caught offside.Â
67', Union subs | Carnell opted for veteran leadership and experience for the final stretch of the match, replacing the youngest player on his roster with the oldest, team captain Alejandro Bedoya. Homegrown midfielder Jeremy Rafanello replaced Martinez, shifting Lukic to the centerback spot. Miami made multiple changes at the same juncture, sending on David Ayala and Facundo Mura. Messi left the match shortly after in the 73rd minute, replaced by Mateo Silvetti.Â
75', Union Yellow card | Danley was shown a yellow card for a foul on Ian Fray.Â
83', Union subs | Philly made a pair of defensive-minded subs, replacing Westfield and Damiani for Finn Sundstrom and Phillipe Ndingda. The appearance marks Sundstrom's first since the team's season opener against D.C. United on February 21st.
90+3', Miami goal | In the eight minutes of added time, Miami extended their lead to 6-4 by way of a birthday goal from Rodrigo De Paul.
