On Sunday, Lionel Messi made a significant impact by scoring one goal and providing three assists, while Tadeo Allende contributed by scoring twice, leading Inter Miami to a convincing 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati and securing their spot in the Eastern Conference final for the first time.
Miami will face New York City FC, who triumphed over Philadelphia Union with a 1-0 win, in the upcoming conference semifinal. The victor of this match will compete in the MLS Cup on December 6th.
Head coach Javier Mascherano expressed pride in his team’s performance against a tough opponent and on a challenging pitch. “From the very beginning, we focused on playing our game,” he commented, noting that the players delivered an almost flawless performance.
Messi set a new MLS playoff record with a total of 12 points, comprising six goals and six assists. Last season, Cincinnati clinched the Supporters’ Shield and boasted the second-best overall record in the league, but they were eliminated after losing to the Columbus Crew in the conference finals.
FC Cincinnati’s head coach, Pat Noonan, reflected on the disappointing night, crediting Miami for being the superior team. “To the fans, it’s a hard way to end,” he said.
Messi had previously struggled against Cincinnati, failing to score in three prior encounters, but he broke that streak in the 19th minute with a header from Matteo Silvetti’s cross, giving Miami an early lead. Just nine minutes later, he had a chance to extend the lead but missed the target.
Cincinnati’s best opportunity in the first half came from Ender Echenik’s header to Evander, whose shot went over the bar. Miami outshot Cincinnati, recording seven shots on target compared to Cincinnati’s four.
“Noonan noted, “We gave Messi too much space and time, which was a mistake on our part.”
In the second half, Silvetti scored shortly after Messi’s assist, doubling Miami’s lead. Silvetti, who was filling in for the suspended Luis Suarez, expressed joy about contributing to the team.
Messi continued to shine, assisting Allende for the third goal in the 62nd minute and seeing Allende score again in the 74th minute. Earlier in their season, Miami had suffered a 3-0 defeat against Cincinnati at home, so this victory was especially significant.
“We’re aiming to win trophies,” Noonan stated, emphasizing the team’s commitment to progressing.
Fan Take: This victory is a pivotal moment for Inter Miami and MLS, showcasing Messi’s ability to elevate the team’s performance on big occasions. For soccer fans, Messi’s success further cements his legacy in the league and highlights the growing competitiveness of MLS.
