Player ratings as Jordi Alba strikes late in six-goal thriller

Jordi Alba helped rescue a point for Inter Miami in their 3-3 draw vs St Louis CITY, tallying two assists and scoring the equalizing goal just before stoppage time.

For the second consecutive match and the second time in the span of a week, Miami conceded the first goal in the match and failed to pick up three points. Miami gave it a valiant effort in the end, but they once again left it too little too late — which could have big implications near the end of the campaign after picking up just one point out of six available in two home matches.

Jordi Alba was on point for Miami, registering two assists and scoring the goal that knotted things up late on. Although he didn’t have the best of performances during the midweek clash vs Atlanta United, the veteran full-back stole the show and showed his undeniable quality — not that anyone needed him to verify that — just as he did a week ago in Vancouver.

It was a shocking start for the hosts as they conceded the first goal in the match once again — for context, they’ve conceded the first goal in seven of their last 10 matches. Celio Pompeu picked out Christopher Durkin, who was isolated at the top of the Miami penalty area. Durkin then unleashed a curling effort into the near top corner that Drake Callender didn’t even attempt to save in the 15th minute.

However, the Herons would respond 10 minutes later. After the legendary Lionel Messi danced around the St Louis penalty area, he picked out former Spain international Jordi Alba — who then returned the favor with a quick cutback pass to Miami’s No. 10. In the blink of an eye, Messi sent in a curling effort with his wand of a left foot that Roman Burki managed to get a hand but couldn’t keep out of his net.

Minutes before the halftime break, the visitors would retake the lead after a turnover in possession in Miami’s half. Hosei Kijima — who was subbed on before the 30th minute mark after Rasmus Alm sustained an injury — played Indiana Vassilev through on goal with a simple pass that sliced the Miami defense open.

Vassilev looked up and fired a near-post effort past Callender and refused to celebrate after scoring against his former club. St Louis were in front 2-1, and Callender probably should’ve done better at his near post despite the pace that was on Vassilev’s strike.

Despite going down twice in the first half, Miami‘s ‘never-give-up’ mentality was on full display Saturday night. Jordi Alba played a cutback pass across the face of goal that…