Inter Miami have officially qualified for the MLS playoffs after beating New York City FC 4-0 at Citi Field, in Queens, New York City.
Inter Miami took the lead in the first half in the 43rd minute when Messi gave a perfect through ball to Baltasar Rodriguez, who slotted the ball past Matt Freese.
In the second half, it became the Messi show. In the 74th minute, a perfect team goal led to Sergio Busquets finding Messi in the penalty box. Messi cleverly chipped the ball over Matt Freese as he was getting closer to the goal, and he made it 2-0.
Inter Miami were then awarded a penalty after a foul on Rodrigo De Paul. Messi let Luis Suarez take it, and the Uruguayan striker scored on his first game back since serving a three-match ban in the MLS.
Messi would score his second goal of the night in the 86th minute of the match with a low right footed across the goal that went past Freese once again.
Lionel Messi bagged a brace and an assist for the Herons’ away victory. Inter Miami climb up to third in the Eastern Conference with 55 points and are approaching the top position in the table.
Inter Miami could still win the Supporters’ Shield
Last season, Inter Miami won the Supporters’ Shield with 74 points after 34 matches played. They topped the Eastern Conference by eight points and won their first-ever Supporters’ Shield.
After a few bad results in the past months, Inter Miami have once again become favorites to win the Supporters’ Shield for the seocnd time in a row.
Inter Miami have two games in hand, and if they win both, the Herons will not only top the Eastern Conference but also be first in the Supporters’ Shield table. Inter Miami has five regular-season MLS matches left.
Inter Miami will travel to Toronto to play Toronto FC on Saturday. It would be Inter Miami’s second-to-last away game. The Herons will play three home games in a row after the Toronto FC match.
Inter Miami’s Remaining Schedule