Chicago (USA), Aug 31 (EFE).- For the second time in two years, Leo Messi did not travel to Chicago due to injury, but Inter Miami did not miss the Argentine star on their visit to the Fire in the twenty-seventh round of the MLS and won 4-1 led by a double from the Uruguayan Luis Suárez, in spectacular form.
The American football league’s matchday was also enlivened by Cincinnati’s 4-1 thrashing of Montreal, with Argentine Luca Orellano as the protagonist, and by Columbus Crew’s 4-2 victory, with decisive goals in added time.
A total of 55,385 people turned up at Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium hoping to see Leo Messi play, but the Argentine missed the event after suffering from ankle problems suffered in the Copa America final on July 14.
Messi has started training with the group this week and is closer to returning, but has not yet been given the all-clear, coach Gerardo Martino said.
Last year, an injury prevented Chicago fans from seeing Messi play. Inter Miami lost that game by a landslide and was mathematically eliminated from the postseason race.
This Saturday, things were different. Luis Suarez, Inter Miami’s big signing for the current season, set up Tobias Salquist’s own goal and then scored his second consecutive MLS double.
The Uruguayan had also scored two goals last week in the victory against Cincinnati. Robert Taylor, on the counterattack, made it 4-1 after the Greek Giorgios Koutsias had temporarily made it 1-3.
Inter Miami is the solid leader of the East with 59 points, eight more than Cincinnati, second. Martino’s team is already mathematically qualified for the playoffs.
Orellano returns the 3 points to Cincinnati
Cincinnati returned to winning ways, beating Montreal 4-1 to end a streak of four consecutive losses, the last of which was suffered against Inter Miami.
Without Argentine Lucho Acosta, MVP of last season and suspended this Saturday, his compatriot Luca Orellano was the protagonist with a double.
The 24-year-old forward, formerly of Vasco and Vélez, has five goals and six assists this season. Venezuelan Kevin Kelsy and Brazilian Sergio Santos completed Cincinnati’s rout.
Orlando City was also able to celebrate, after drawing against New York City and losing 0-3 against Sporting Kansas City, beating Nashville 3-0 with a double from Uruguayan Facundo Torres and a goal from Colombian Iván Angulo.
The Crew, sweet moment
The Columbus Crew continues to fly, having won the Leagues Cup in the final against Los Angeles FC, adding its seventh consecutive victory in all competitions.
Coach Wilfried Nancy’s team came from behind to win a thrilling 4-2 match against New York City with goals from Uruguayan Diego Rossi, Maximilian Arfsten, Dejuan Jones and Jacen Russell Rowe.
New York City led 1-0 and tied the score at 2-2 in the 86th minute, before Jones and Russell Rowe, in the 92nd and 98th minutes respectively, gave the Crew all three points.
In the West, Los Angeles Galaxy, led by Spaniard Riqui Puig and German Marco Reus, will play this Sunday against Saint Louis City, second to last in the same conference.
I like this:
Charging…
