Lionel Messi suffered the heaviest failure of his MLS career in a 4-1 defeat in Inter Miami on Saturday.

Argentina scored in the second half, but Miami's defense was exposed again as they dropped to their fourth loss in the last five games in all games - a run that cost them 14 goals.

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With Luis Suarez injured, Miami coach Javier Mascherano chose to play without a recognized target striker, Messi floated in the five-man midfield.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane fired Minnesota in the 32nd minute after Miami's defense revealed a clever pass from Washington Pereyra to Carlos Harvey, who picked up the South African international forward in the box.

Messi's first real reminder of his presence when working in a crowded area, six minutes later, but his low right-handed shot was harmless.

Minnesota doubled its lead in a half-time stroke when Michael Boxall's long shot was nodded from the back nodding home from the back.

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Messi hit Jordi Alba after three minutes of time intervals found in the box and provided his unique killer tourer and deadly endpoint to reduce the deficit.

But Minnesota responded a huge response – Tani Oluwaseyi led a corner and Miami guard Marcelo Weigandt entered his own net.

The excellent Oluwaseyi then reached out to Noah Allen and slid the ball to Robin Lod, and the Finnish midfielder undoubtedly had a perfect side finish from the edge of the box.

Former Barcelona and Argentina midfielder Mascherano said his plan must be influenced by stand-in striker Fafa Picault before the game, and he was disappointed with the way his team failed to react to the threat they were ready for.

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"It's a tough loss for us," he said. "We know Minnesota can hurt us in this way, transition, fixed debris, and the way they (just happens) we prepare for the game, and that's what worries me the most."

"If a player gives up on his level, it's obvious that the responsibility falls on me. If the coach doesn't convince them or spread what he wants, then all the responsibility falls on the coach."

- Red Bull Hammer Galaxy -

The New York Red Bulls beat Los Angeles Galaxy in an unusually stressful way last season's MLS Cup final as they beat the championship 7-0.

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The Galaxy doesn't look like a champion and keeps the bottom of the Western Conference without a victory, with only three points in 12 games.

Greg Vanney is surrounded by midfielder Riqui Puig who has been robbed due to a long-term injury, and he also has no wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil, but their problems are on the other side of the field.

German striker Eric Choupa scored twice in the game, and Swedish midfielder Emil Forsberg added support, including a great curling free kick as Red Bull ramped up on the unfortunate Galaxy defense.

Locally born teenager Frankie Westfield appears to have won the Philadelphia Union with 64 minutes of Thunderbolt, his first goal in the MLS.

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However, the crew grabbed a downtime from Sean Zawadski to draw 2-2, which maintained an unbeaten record on the way.

The crew ranked second in the Eastern Conference, third in the league, and fourth in Miami.

After defeating Austin 2-1, Cincinnati remains the highest lead in the East.

Santiago made an impressive start in St. Louis with a goal from Milan Iloski and Danish winger Anders Dreyer.

Nashville beat Charlotte 2-1 in a strong season thanks to Hany Mukhtar's volley and won the 54th minute championship of Canadian winger Jacob Shaffelburg.

SEV/JS