Messi scored two goals, Luis Suarez added another and Inter Miami withstood a second-half comeback attempt by the defending champion Columbus Crew to win 3-2 and clinch the MLS Supporters’ Shield on Wednesday night.
“The truth is that we are happy to achieve the first goal and now we are thinking about what is coming, right?” Messi said in a postgame interview with Apple TV.
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas began the locker room celebration, presenting the Supporters’ Shield trophy to the team. Messi raised the trophy next to Mas, while also holding a bottle of his ‘Mas+ by Messi’ drink over his head. Talk about product placement.
Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup title last year, shortly after gaining worldwide attention with Messi’s arrival in July 2023. The Supporters’ Shield, the title given to the MLS regular-season champions, is the club’s second of the Messi era. But Inter Miami is already focused on reaching the Dec. 7 MLS Cup final, and potentially playing in the FIFA Club World Cup next year in the United States.
“Leo was the game changer,” said Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, who’s also coached Messi at FC Barcelona and with the Argentine National Team. “Our goal is to get to Dec. 7, and we would like to play in the Club World Cup. With the names we have on our team, they could just give us a spot, but it would be more just and mean more if we earn it, and this Supporters’ Shield was very important for us.”
Messi tapped his first goal in with his left foot in the 45th minute, and scored a patented free kick that bended into the left side of the net just before halftime (45+4’) to give Inter Miami a 2-0 lead before a dramatic second half.
Suarez scored his team-leading 18th goal in the 48th minute, two minutes after Crew star Diego Rossi opened the second half with a goal.
Crew leading scorer Cucho Hernandez scored a penalty kick in the 61st minute, but his second penalty kick to tie the game in the 84th minute was denied by Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender.
The game lived up to its billing as the best game of the MLS season thanks to the Crew’s persistence, but Messi’s greatness left its mark.
“Today, in probably the most important match we have played this year so far, we found again the version of Leo that defines matches and championships,” Martino said.
Messi, the World Cup champion and two-time Copa America champion, played in his fifth game since returning from a right ankle injury he suffered during the Copa America final in July.
Messi scored three goals in his first four games, but still received criticism for looking tired and needing more time to get back into shape. He was even partially blamed for Inter Miami entering the match with three straight draws, as the club lacked collective rhythm working their star back into the lineup.
Messi may indeed still need some time to round into the form we’re used to seeing from the world’s greatest player before the MLS Cup Playoffs, but he was more than good enough for Inter Miami in Columbus.
And as much as Messi helped Inter Miami secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield, his teammates deserve plenty of praise for their work in keeping the club atop the MLS standings for most of the season.
Messi has 17 goals in 17 games, despite missing 15 of Inter Miami’s MLS matches this season. Inter Miami was 10-2-3 (W-D-L) without Messi during the MLS season, accounting for 32 of the 68 points the club has accumulated before its final two games. From June 15 to Aug. 31, Inter Miami played nine games without an injured Messi and won eight of them (24 points).
“Throughout the year we had many, many injuries, where we couldn’t all be together … but the group was getting the most out of every tough game,” Messi said.
Inter Miami has two games remaining – Saturday at Toronto and Oct. 19 hosting the New England Revolution – to contend for the MLS record for points in a season. Inter Miami has 68 points after the Crew win, and would reach 74 with two more wins. The record set by the Revolution in 2021 is 73 points.
“Even though we have a great opportunity to go down in history in that, I also think it is less important,” Messi said of the MLS points record. He has his eyes on a deep playoff run.
“The first objective has been achieved and now we have to think about what is coming, right? The first (playoff matchup) is (best of) three, but then it’s a game (each). Anything can happen in a game, but we have a great advantage in that we play all the games at home, which is what we were looking for. I think we are very, very strong at home.”
Inter Miami – a club co-owned by brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, and David Beckham – has gone from seldom winning to Supporters’ Shield champions. The club, which joined the league in 2020, was unable to qualify for the playoffs last year after Messi’s arrival.
Now, Inter Miami has secured home-field advantage for the MLS Cup Playoffs where a third club title, and No. 47 for Messi, possibly awaits.
Check out these game highlights from USA TODAY Sports:
Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew highlights
Drake Callender saves penalty kick by Cucho Hernandez: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 2
Cucho Hernandez went right again. This time, Drake Callender followed him.
The Crew had a chance to tie it another penalty kick, but Callender’s save in the 84th minute has kept this score 3-2 in favor of Inter Miami.
Rudy Camacho red card leads to ejection: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 2
Crew defender Rudy Camacho was sent off in the 64th minute after receiving his second yellow card for a questionable tackle on Inter Miami’s Federico Redondo. The Crew will play the rest of this match with 10 players instead of 11.
Cucho Hernandez scores goal: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 2
Cucho Hernandez has scored in the 61st minute for the Crew on a penalty kick, following a handball by Inter Miami.
That’s three goals in the second half already by both teams, and we’re back to a one-goal lead for Inter Miami.
Luis Suarez goal: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 1
Luis Suarez has scored for Inter Miami, tapping in a goal after Crew goalie Patrick Schulte collided with a teammate. It created a loose ball opportunity and a 3-1 lead for Inter Miami.
Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy could only put his hand on his head in disbelief.
Diego Rossi begins second half with goal: Inter Miami 2, Columbus 1
Crew star Diego Rossi was the beneficiary of a breakdown defensively by Inter Miami, scoring a goal in the 46th minute as the second half got underway.
Lionel Messi scores second goal on free kick: Inter Miami 2, Columbus Crew 0
Messi showed once again why he’s the world’s greatest, scoring a free kick in extra time (45+4′) before halftime to give Inter Miami a 2-0 lead against Columbus Crew.
Lionel Messi goal highlight: Inter Miami 1, Columbus Crew 0
Lionel Messi has scored in the 45th minute as Inter Miami takes a 1-0 lead over Columbus Crew.
Messi was able to tap in the goal with his left boot past Crew goalie Patrick Schulte just before halftime.
Christian Ramirez shot is wide right: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
Christian Ramirez, one of the Crew’s star players, lined up a right shot that bended just outside the right side of the net in the 34th minute.
Chelo Weigandt goal disallowed, Mo Farsi collision: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
Messi waved his finger in the air in disapproval. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino had his hands raised in disbelief. Inter Miami had a goal disallowed because of a player offsides. It would have been an own-goal by Columbus.
Columbus attacker Mo Farsi is now being tended to by trainers after colliding into Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets in the 26th minute.
Cucho Hernandez goal disallowed after offside call: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
Columbus nearly got off to a 1-0 lead, but Cucho Hernandez was just a step or two ahead of the Inter Miami back line. He was ruled offsides after finding the back of the net in the 8th minute.
Update from opening minutes of the match: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
Both teams have traded possession during the first five minutes, with Messi securing at least one clearance for Inter Miami already. These clubs are ball dominant, so it’s going to be interesting to see which one pushes the envelope to control the ball in this one.
How to watch Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game on TV
The Inter Miami match against Columbus Crew will be broadcast by FS1 in the United States.
How to live stream Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game tonight
The match will also be available for live stream via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
What time does Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game start?
The match will begin at 7:45 p.m. ET (8:45 p.m. Argentina time)
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Lionel Messi is expected to start and play for Inter Miami against Columbus Crew tonight.
Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy pregame interview
The message from Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy: “We deserve to be here. The most important thing for me is a good performance,” he said in a pregame interview.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino pregame interview
The key to the game from Inter Miami’s Tata Martino: “We have to be consistent for 90 minutes,” he said through a translator before the game.
Messi takes on Columbus Crew
It will be Messi’s first game against the Crew, although both teams played each other twice already this season. And it will be Messi’s fifth game since returning from his Copa America right ankle injury.
“My players, yeah, they know that Miami is coming with Messi, and we know that this is a good game for both teams,” Crew coach Wilfred Nancy told reporters Tuesday. “This is good for the league, obviously. This is good for everyone.”
Messi has scored three goals in four games, but Inter Miami has secured three straight draws during the span as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner improves his conditioning. It left some media wondering if Inter Miami has played better without Messi when it won 9 of 10 matches before his return.
“I am happy to have the best player in the world with us. And well, adapting to that won’t be a problem,” Inter Miami assistant Javier Morales said.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami starting lineups
Messi is indeed starting for Inter Miami. Here are the starting lineups for both clubs:
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami predictions
Inter Miami 4, Columbus Crew 3: Messi may have heard the talk about Inter Miami playing better without him before his injury return, and makes a statement to deliver the club the MLS Supporters’ Shield title. Messi scores two goals with an assist to Luis Suarez, and Matias Rojas will score for Miami against the Crew. Columbus might have tired legs in its seventh match in 24 days, while Miami will play its fifth in the same span. — Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter for USA TODAY.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami matches
Inter Miami won at home 2-1 in June was Messi was away during Copa America, and the Crew won 3-2 in August with Messi injured en route to winning Leagues Cup 2024.
The way how Columbus won was emphatic: Christian Ramirez scored in the 67th minute, while Diego Rossi scored a brace in the 69th and 80th minutes to steal the victory.
MLS Supporter Shield standings, scenarios
Inter Miami sits atop the MLS regular season standings with 65 points with three games remaining. A win tonight would give Inter Miami 68 points, and no other club would be able to reach that mark, giving them the Supporters’ Shield. If Inter Miami wins out, it would set a new MLS record with 74 points. A loss to Columbus would force Inter Miami to win its final two games to win the Shield.
Columbus Crew is in third with 57 points, but has four games remaining. A loss against Inter Miami would tap the Crew to 66 points if they win their final three games. A win against Inter Miami, however, opens a path to a maximum of 69 points.
MLS playoff clinching scenarios for Wednesday night’s games
➤ Inter Miami CF clinches Supporters’ Shield with:
Win
➤ Charlotte FC clinches playoff berth with:
Win
Draw, and Toronto FC loss or draw, and D.C. United loss or draw, and New England Revolution loss or draw, and Atlanta United loss or draw
Toronto FC loss or draw, and New England Revolution loss or draw, and Atlanta United loss or draw, and D.C. United draw
➤ Los Angeles FC clinches home-field advantage in Round 1 with:
Win, and Real Salt Lake loss, and Houston Dynamo FC loss or draw, and Colorado Rapids loss or draw, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC draw
➤ Minnesota United FC clinches playoff berth with:
Win
FC Dallas loss or draw
➤ Portland Timbers clinch playoff berth with:
Win
Draw, and FC Dallas loss or draw
MLS playoff picture: If the season ended today …
Heading into MLS Matchday 36, these would be the MLS playoff matchups through the first round …
EASTERN CONFERENCE
➤ Clinched playoff spot: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC
Wild-card match:
Toronto FC (No. 8 seed) vs. Philadelphia Union (9)
Round 1 (best-of-three series):
Inter Miami CF (1) vs. Toronto FC-Philadelphia Union winner
Columbus Crew (2) vs. Charlotte FC (7)
FC Cincinnati (3) vs. New York Red Bulls (6)
Orlando City SC (4) vs. New York City FC (5)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
➤ Clinched playoff spot: Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo FC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Wild-card match:
Minnesota United FC (No. 8 seed) vs. Portland Timbers (9)
Round 1 (best-of-three series):
LA Galaxy (1) vs. Minnesota United FC-Portland Timbers winner
Los Angeles FC (2) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7)
Real Salt Lake (3) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (6)
Colorado Rapids (4) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (5)
What is the format and schedule for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs format and schedule?
A total of 18 teams qualify for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs — the top nine finishers from each conference. The eighth- and ninth-place finishers in each conference will play in wild-card matches. The top seven seeds qualify for the Round 1 best-of-three series. Here is the playoff schedule:
Oct. 3: Wild-card matches (single-elimination matches)
Oct. 26-Nov. 10: Round 1 (best-of-three series)
Nov. 23-24: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
Dec. 7: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)
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