Lionel Messi watched on from the stands as Inter Miami suffered their first MLS defeat of the season, going down 4-3 at home to FC Dallas.

Miami lost to the high-flying Vancouver Whitecaps in the Champions Cup last week, and with the second leg of that semi-final tie coming up, Javier Mascherano elected to rest Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba on Sunday, while Sergio Busquets was an unused substitute.

And despite seeing Miami's second string taking a 3-1 lead over Dallas early in the second half at Chase Stadium, the Herons failed to hold on in a seven-goal thriller.

Pedrinho's 81st-minute finish completed a stunning comeback, with Dallas having dragged themselves level thanks to goals from Anderson Julio and Osaze Urhoghide.

Miami, who fell behind to Shaq Moore's early opener, had earlier forged a comeback of their own through Fafa Picault, Allen Obando and Ian Fray.

Substitute Tadeo Allende went agonisingly close to an equaliser with a late free-kick, but it was not to be for Miami, who must now dust themselves down for that huge clash with Vancouver in midweek.

The Whitecaps, meanwhile, had no such trouble as they swatted aside Minnesota United 3-1 to maintain their excellent start to the campaign.

Substitutes Sebastian Berhalter and Pedro Vite got their goals in the second half, before Minnesota pulled one back through Wil Trapp late on, as Vancouver retook their place at the summit of the overall standings.

Data Debrief: Miami fall short of MLS record

Mascherano was always running a risk when he rested his star players, and though he will feel Miami should no doubt have held on, the match stats do show that Dallas were the better side.

The visitors had 13 shots to Miami's 12, but got nine on target compared to their hosts' five. Dallas' 2.27 expected goals also edged out the Herons' 1.71.

Miami had been aiming to set a record for the longest unbeaten streak in regular-season history, but fell short. Their run came to an end on 19 games, which ties the previous record, also held by the Columbus Crew (2004-05) and Dallas themselves (2010).

But Dallas have a great record against Miami. In five games against them, they have yet to suffer a defeat, winning three times. Eric Quill's team are now unbeaten in six straight away matches to start the season, the longest road unbeaten run to begin a campaign in club history. Only one team in the last decade has a longer such run - the Philadelphia Union (eight) in 2024.