Lionel Messi guides Inter Miami to second trophy of MLS club’s history as they seal Supporters’ Shield in fiery 3-2 win over Columbus Crew
Lionel Messi’s boots produced magic again as the Argentine maestro scored two goals in quick succession to help Inter Miami beat the Columbus Crew 3-2 to secure the Supporters Shield for the Herons.
The Copa America winner – who only recently returned after an injury suffered in the final of this summer’s blockbuster tournament – scored his first goal of the evening after a brilliantly picked long ball from Jordi Alba.
Just five minutes later he would score again from a sublime free kick to put Miami up 2-0 before half time.
Columbus, the reigning MLS Cup champions, scored their first of the night within seconds of kickoff – only for Luis Suarez to clinch Miami’s third after a comical error from the Crew’s backline.
The Crew would go back in one thanks to a penalty from Cucho Hernandez. But when faced with the same task again, he hit his kick to the same spot – which Miami keeper Drake Callender saved to secure the win for The Herons.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored the goals that won the Supporters Shield for Miami
As a result, Miami wins the Supporters Shield – the trophy awarded to the team that finishes the season with the most points.
Traditionally in other competitions this would mean winning the competition. However, in MLS they follow a format similar to traditional American sports, with a knockout style competition (MLS Cup) determining the league’s champions.
It is the second trophy Inter Miami has won in the four years of its existence, after winning the Leagues Cup last season.
Both teams scored two goals early on, but these were disallowed for offside.
Stuck on the cusp of half-time, Alba spotted Messi running and hit a well-timed ball through the air.
The Argentine magician pushed him down with his chest and then chopped him back to his right foot. A Columbus defender tried to poke the ball away, but Messi’s forward momentum kept the ball in his path. A feather touch on the ball was all it took to get the ball past Crew keeper Patrick Schulte and take the 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Argentina captain to redouble his luck. Center back Rudy Camacho plowed through the back of Suarez, giving Miami a free kick from 18 yards out.
Messi stepped up and fired a curling laser that sent Schulte the wrong way and left the goalkeeper with no hope of recovery – giving Miami a 2-0 lead going into halftime.
Messi departed after scoring his second goal of the evening to take a 2-0 lead
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