Lionel Messi and Inter Miami did not return to their winning ways in San Jose, but they avoided adding another loss to one of the worst stretches of the Messi era. Tadeo Allende scored two goals,

Excitement is building on the West Coast as soccer superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami squad is set to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night.

San Jose’s Colombian forward Cristian Arango is tied with Vancouver’s Brian White for the league lead with eight goals. Former Inter Miami forward Josef Martinez of Venezuela, who joined the Earthquakes this year, has six goals. Argentine midfielder Cristian Espinoza has four goals and an MLS-best seven assists.