Soccer prodigy, 16, appears to get punched by Lionel Messi's teammate in violent end to MLS game

 American soccer starlet Cavan Sullivan appeared to get punched in the face by an Inter Miami player during a controversial end to their MLS game on Wednesday night.

In the 101st minute of the 2-2 draw between the Philadelphia Union and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, Sullivan's older brother Quinn lifted Miami's Ian Fray up and slammed him to the turf

It seemed as though Fray had stepped over and then on Quinn as the latter tried to get back to his feet after a collision in the penalty box.

Once Quinn had slammed Fray to the ground, four Inter Miami players rushed to the scene to help out their teammate.

Then 16-year-old Cavan, who is due to join Premier League giants Manchester City when he turns 18, rushed in to help his brother and Union teammate.

He was immediately confronted by Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and it appears Bright caught him with a fist to the face.

Sullivan remained on his feet and then shoved Bright away before being escorted away from the controversy.

While Bright was shown a red card for his role in the scuffle, Sullivan was also somehow sent off as well. His brother was issued a yellow card. 

It means that Sullivan will now be suspended for Philadelphia's game against Austin on Saturday.

Earlier in the game, Messi cut inside to his preferred left foot from 12 yards out in the 26th minute and curled a shot into the corner of the net for his first goal since returning to action following the death of his father.

Messi has 13 goals and nine assists in 17 MLS games this season. He has six goals and four assists in six matches in all competitions against the Union.

Indiana Vassilev scored a volley in the first half to give the Union the lead, then 18-year-old defender Neil Pierre headed home his third goal in five games this season in the 58th minute to tie the score. Sullivan was credited with his seventh assist of the season on Vassilevs goal.

Union forward Milan Iloski appeared to put the Union ahead in the 62nd minute, but the goal was reviewed and waved off with Pierre offside in the buildup.