Lionel Messi made his return to Major League Soccer on August 1, coming on as a second-half substitute for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Messi entered the match in the 53rd minute and created several scoring chances but missed two shots wide, failing to find the net in his first game back [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez opened the scoring early for Miami with a goal in the 16th minute, marking his seventh goal in his last four games [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Miami took a 2-1 lead before halftime when Suarez assisted Noah Allen, who headed the ball in [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Columbus Crew midfielder Casemiro equalized via an own goal in the 34th minute [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Later, Columbus newcomer Brais Mendez scored a free-kick equalizer in the 84th minute on his debut for the club [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The 2-2 draw ended Inter Miami's six-match winning streak and left them second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville SC [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Nashville maintained their top spot by drawing 2-2 with DC United [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Across the league, Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps remain tied atop the Western Conference after a 1-1 draw. Son Heung-min extended his scoring streak to four MLS matches since the World Cup, scoring for LAFC, while Vancouver's Thomas Mueller converted a penalty in the 76th minute [1, 2, 3, 5]. Son was named MVP of the MLS All-Star Game just days earlier on July 29 [1, 2, 3, 5].
The Inter Miami-Columbus match kickoff was delayed 40 minutes due to bad weather in Miami [4]. Also on August 1, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice in his MLS home debut, helping Chicago Fire to a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC [4].
