Burning Inter Miami defeated the New England Revolution 6-2, shattering the regular season points record in Major League Soccer. Lionel Messi scored his second hat-trick of the week, while Luis Suarez scored twice. With their victory in the regular season finale, Miami surpassed the previous record of 74 points, which was achieved by New England in 2021. Messi, who led the late barrage of goals after coming off the bench in the 58th minute, now has 20 goals in 19 MLS games, while Suarez, his former Barcelona teammate, has 20 goals from 27 games.
Inter had already won the Supporters’ Shield for the best record in the regular season and solidified their position as the clear favorites in the MLS Cup playoffs, which begin next week. This achievement added some excitement to the season’s last game as they aimed to surpass the record.
Before Gerardo Martino’s squad tied the game at halftime, Suarez scored twice to cut Miami’s deficit to 2-0.
The home crowd called for the coach to bring Messi on from the bench after Argentine Luca Langoni and Colombian Dylan Borrero scored in the 34th minute, but Uruguayan Suarez led the comeback.
The former Barcelona and Liverpool striker equalized with a solid left-foot finish following strong work by David Martinez.
Subsequently, Suarez achieved a superb solo finish, creating space for himself, transferring to his right foot, and driving home.
Messi came off the bench in the 58th minute to assist put the side ahead, finding Jordi Alba who set up Benjamin Cremaschi for a tap-in. Messi had scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Bolivia on Tuesday.
Bobby Wood’s goal gave New England hope that they had tied the score, but a VAR review showed that the play was a handball.
Messi then made it 4-2. He did so by wonderfully smashing into the far bottom corner after receiving a back-heeled ball from Suarez.
Miami broke the point record, and although Martino acknowledged that the team needs to improve on some of its mistakes, they are going into the playoffs on a high note.
“This gives the squad even more confidence. We didn’t set out to score these 74 points at the beginning of the season, but we made an effort to do so when the opportunity presented itself,” he stated.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino joined club co-owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas at the post-game celebration of the Supporters Shield triumph. Infantino said that the Shield had secured the squad a spot in the 2025 Club World Cup.
With the win, the Canadian team moved up to eighth position in the Eastern Conference and will now face Atlanta United, who ranks ninth, in the wildcard round on Tuesday, hoping to meet Miami in the first round.
Atlanta’s 2-1 victory over Orlando City secured the East’s last slot.
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