Miami. With a double from Lionel Messi, Inter Miami beat the Columbus Crew 3-2 this Wednesday and secured first place in the regular season of Major League Soccer (MLS), in the United States, thereby also winning the Supporters trophy ‘ Shield.
The Argentine star opened the scoring in Columbus (Ohio) at minute 45, and increased the lead with a spectacular free kick goal at 45+5.
The Uruguayan Luis Suárez also scored for Miami (48), while the Uruguayan Diego Rossi (46) and the Colombian Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández (61) did it for the locals.
Hernández himself had the chance to tie in a penalty that goalkeeper Drake Callender saved in the 84th minute.
With two rounds left to play, Inter has 68 points and can no longer be caught up by its main pursuers, the Los Angeles Galaxy (59) and Columbus Crew (57).
This is the 46th title obtained by Messi with clubs or with his national team. He thus expanded the record in the history of men’s soccer.
The Supporters’ Shield trophy, which Inter had never won, is the second that Messi has lifted since landing in Miami after the 2023 Leagues Cup.
The arrival of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to Miami in July 2023 transformed a franchise that until then had not won any title and that last season, with Messi playing only six games, did not even qualify for the playoffs.
First place in the regular phase will also give Inter home field advantage in all MLS playoff matches that begin on October 23.
The team led by the former coach of the Mexican national team, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, aspires to win the first MLS title in its history in the championship final to be held on December 9.
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– 2024-10-03 09:50:50
