Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami team will be the best regular season team in Major League Soccer in 2024.
Messi scored twice and Luis Suarez added another as Inter Miami withstood a second-half comeback attempt from defending champion Columbus Crew to win 3-2 and secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield on Wednesday night. obtained.
This is the second title in the Messi era for Inter Miami, a club that began playing in MLS in 2020 and attracted worldwide attention with Messi’s arrival in July 2023.
Messi helped Inter Miami win the League’s Cup 2023 shortly after joining last year, helping Inter Miami win the regular season title in his first full season with the club, the 46th title of his storied career. did.
Messi scored his first goal with his left foot in the 45th minute, and just before half-time (45+4 minutes) he took a patented free kick that found the back of the net, giving Inter Miami a 2-0 lead before a dramatic second half. Gave.
Suarez scored his team-high 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 converted a penalty in the 61st minute, but his tying penalty in the 84th minute was denied by Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender. This stop decided the match.
The game lived up to its hype as the best match of the MLS season thanks to Crewe’s tenacity, but Messi’s greatness left its mark.
Messi, the Argentina World Cup winner and two-time Copa America champion, was playing in his fifth game since returning from a right ankle injury sustained in July’s Copa America final.
Messi scored three goals in his first four games, but he still looked tired and was criticized for needing more time to get back into shape. It was even said that he was partially to blame for Inter Miami coming into the game with three straight draws, but it was because the club lacked an overall rhythm to bring star players back into the lineup. Because it was.
Messi may still need some time to get back to being the world’s best player we’re used to seeing before the MLS Cup playoffs, but he was more than adequate for Inter Miami in Columbus.
As much as Messi helped Inter Miami win the MLS Supporters’ Shield, his teammates deserve a lot of credit for keeping the club at the top of the MLS standings for most of the season.
This season, without Messi, Inter Miami has won 11 wins, 2 losses, and drew 3 draws (WLD), winning 33 of 68 points. From June 15th to August 31st, Inter Miami played 10 games without the injured Messi, winning nine of them (27 points).
Inter Miami has two games remaining to battle for the MLS season points record, against Toronto on Saturday and at home against the New England Revolution on October 19th. With the Crew’s victory, Inter Miami now has 68 points, and with two more wins they will reach 74 points. The record set by Revolution in 2021 is 73 points.
More importantly, Messi and Inter Miami secured home-field advantage in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a chance of winning a third title.
Check out the game highlights from USA TODAY Sports:
Drake Callender saves Cucho Hernandez penalty: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 2
Cucho Hernández went to the right again. This time, Drake Callender followed him.
The Crew had a chance to equalize with another penalty kick, but Callender’s save in the 84th minute kept the score at 3-2 in Inter Miami’s favor.
Rudy Camacho red card sent off: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 2
Crew defender Rudy Camacho received his second yellow card for a questionable tackle on Inter Miami’s Federico Redondo and was sent off in the 64th minute. The Crew will play the remainder of this match with 10 players instead of 11.
Cucho Hernandez scores: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 2
The Crew scored a goal in the 61st minute when Cucho Hernández converted a penalty after receiving a handball from Inter Miami.
Both teams have now scored three goals in the second half, giving Inter Miami a one-goal lead.
Luis Suarez goals: Inter Miami 3, Columbus Crew 1
Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez scored a goal after Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte collided with a teammate. This created a chance for a loose ball, giving Inter Miami a 3-1 lead.
Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy could only put his hands on his head in disbelief.
Diego Rossi starts the second half with a goal: Inter Miami 2, Columbus 1
Crew star Diego Rossi benefited from Inter Miami’s defensive breakdown and scored in the 46th minute of the second half.
Lionel Messi scores his second goal with a free kick: Inter Miami 2, Columbus Crew 0
Messi showed once again why he is the best in the world, scoring a free kick in extra time (45 minutes + 4 minutes) before half-time to give Inter Miami a 2-0 lead over Columbus Crew.
Lionel Messi goal highlights: Inter Miami 1, Columbus Crew 0
Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead against the Columbus Crew, with Lionel Messi scoring in the 45th minute.
Messi fired his left spike into the goal just before half-time, past Crewe goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Cristian Ramirez’s shot goes wide right: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
One of the Crew’s star players, Christian Ramirez, fired a right-handed shot in the 34th minute that just missed the right side of the net.
Celo Weigand’s goal canceled, Mo Falci clash: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
Messi waved his finger in the air to show his displeasure. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino threw his hands up in disbelief. Inter Miami’s goal was ruled out due to a player being offside. It would have been a Columbus own goal.
Columbus attacker Mo Falci collided with Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets in the 26th minute and is currently being treated by a trainer.
Cucho Hernandez’s goal ruled out for offside: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
Columbus started with an almost 1-0 lead, but Cucho Hernandez was a step or two ahead of Inter Miami’s back line. He hit the back of the goal in the 8th minute, but was ruled offside.
Latest news immediately after the start of the match: Inter Miami 0, Columbus 0
Both teams exchanged possession in the first five minutes, with Messi already securing at least one clearance for Inter Miami. These clubs dominate the ball, so it will be interesting to see which one pushes the boundaries of ball control with this club.
How to watch Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami on TV
The match between Inter Miami and Columbus Crew will be broadcast by FS1 in the United States.
How to live stream tonight’s Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game
The match will also be available via live stream through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
What time does the Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami match start?
The match will begin at 7:45 pm ET (8:45 pm Argentina time).
Will Messi play tonight?
Yes, Lionel Messi is expected to start for Inter Miami tonight against the Columbus Crew.
Pregame interview with Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy
A 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 pre-game interview.
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino pre-match interview
Inter Miami’s Tata Martino talks about the key to the match: “We have to be consistent for 90 minutes,” he said through an interpreter before the match.
Messi plays against Columbus Crew
This will be Messi’s first match against Crewe, although the two teams have already met twice this season. It will also be Messi’s fifth match since returning from the Copa America injury to his right ankle.
“My players, yes, they know that Miami is coming with Messi and we also know that this is going to be a good game for both teams,” Crew coach Wilfred Nancy said on Tuesday. he told reporters. “This is obviously good for the league. This is good for everyone.”
Messi has scored three goals in four games, but Inter Miami have secured three consecutive draws during this period as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner improves his fitness. Some media outlets wondered if Inter Miami played better without Messi when they won nine of 10 games before his return.
“We’re happy to have the best player in the world with us. Well, we’ll have no problem adapting to it,” Inter Miami assistant Javier Morales said.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami starting lineup
Messi is indeed starting for Inter Miami. The starting lineups for both clubs are as follows:
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami Prediction
Inter Miami 4, Columbus Crew 3: Messi may have heard before his injury return that Inter Miami could play better without him, prompting the club to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield. He issued a statement announcing the title. Messi scored two goals with an assist to Luis Suarez, while Miami’s Matias Rojas will score against the Crew. Columbus may be tired after playing its seventh game in 24 days, but Miami will be playing its fifth game in the same span. — Safid Deen, USA TODAY’s Lionel Messi.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami match
In June, when Messi was away during the Copa America, Inter Miami won 2-1 at home, and in August, the Crew won 3-2 as Messi was injured midway through winning the League Cup 2024. did.
The way Columbus won was outstanding. Cristian Ramirez scored in the 67th minute, and Diego Rossi scored his second goals in the 69th and 80th minutes to snatch the victory.
MLS Supporters Shield standings and scenarios
Inter Miami leads the MLS regular season with 65 points with three games remaining. A win tonight will take Inter Miami to 68 points, with no other club able to reach that mark, and they will take home the Supporters’ Shield. If Inter Miami wins, they will set a new MLS record with 74 points. If they lose to Columbus, Inter Miami will win their remaining two games to win the Shield.
The Columbus Crew is in third place with 57 points, but has four games remaining. After losing to Inter Miami, the Crew will reach 66 points if they win their final three games. However, a win against Inter Miami would pave the way for them to reach the maximum of 69 points.
LA Galaxy is in second place with 58 points with three games remaining. With three more wins, the Galaxy will have 67 points.
MLS Playoff Decision Scenario for Wednesday Night Game
➤ Inter Miami CF wins the Supporters Shield:
➤ Charlotte FC qualifies for playoffs:
WinDraw, Toronto FC Lose or Draw, DC United Lose or Draw, New England Revolution Lose or Draw, Atlanta United Lose or Draw Toronto FC Lose or Draw, New England Revolution Lose or Draw, and Atlanta United Lose. Or a draw, and DC United draw.
➤ Los Angeles FC has home field advantage in Game 1:
Win, Real Salt Lake Lose, Houston Dynamo FC Lose or Tie, Colorado Rapids Lose or Tie, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Tie
➤ Minnesota United FC qualified for the playoffs with the following results:
WinFC Dallas Lose or Draw
➤ Portland Timbers qualify for the playoffs with:
WinDraw, FC Dallas Lose or Draw
More information: MLS scores and fixtures
MLS Playoff Photos: If the season ended today…
Heading into MLS Round 36, these are the matchups up to the first round of the MLS Playoffs…
eastern conference
➤ Playoff Qualification: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC
Wildcard match:
Toronto FC (8th 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
➤ Qualified for playoffs: Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo FC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Wildcard match:
Minnesota United FC (8th 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)
Details: 2024 MLS Standings
What is the format and schedule for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs?
The top nine teams from each conference, for a total of 18 teams, will qualify for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The 8th and 9th place teams from each conference will compete in the wild card match. The top seven seeds qualify for the best-of-three series in Round 1. The playoff schedule is as follows:
October 3rd: Wild Card Match (Single Elimination Match) November 26th 10: Round 1 (Best of 3 Series) November 23rd-24th: Conference Semifinals (Single Elimination Match) December 30th 1st : Conference Final (Single Elimination Match) December 7: MLS Cup (1 winner-take-all match)
From time to time, we recommend interesting products and services. If you click one of our links and purchase an item, we may receive an affiliate commission. USA TODAY is independently operated and this does not affect our reporting.