With two days left to play, Inter adds 68 points and can no longer be reached by his main pursuers, Los Angeles Galaxy (59) y Columbus Crew (57).
“I’m very happy for this group,” he declared. Messi a Apple TV. “At the beginning of the year we knew that this was a group to fight for this.”
The trophy Supporters’ Shieldwhich Inter had never achieved, is the second that Messi has raised since his landing in Miami after the edition 2023 de la Leagues Cupthe joint tournament of the North American and Mexican leagues.
The arrival of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to Miami in July 2023accompanied first by Sergio Busquets y Jordi Alba and after Luis Suarezhas completely transformed this franchise.
In its three seasons of life, the team co-owned by David Beckham He had not won any title and last season, with Messi playing only six games, he did not even qualify for the playoffs.
He first place in the regular phase will give Inter home field advantage in all MLS playoff matches that get underway on October 23.
The team he leads Gerardo Martino aspires to conquer first MLS title of its history in the final of the championship that will be held on December 7.
“I’m happy to achieve the first goal and think about what’s to come,” Messi said. “We have the great advantage of playing all the games at home, which is what we were looking for. At home we are very strong.”
- The desired Club World Cup
In his press conference, the ‘Nanny’ Martino He pointed out that this success can justify Inter’s presence in the new Club World Cup which will be held for the first time in 2025 in USA.
Only two of the 32 seats for this competition. One of them is reserved for a team from the host country but the qualification route is still unknown.
“We have our mind set on reaching the December 7 but today is not a minor issue because this is how we begin to justify why Inter Miami could go to the Club World Cup,” said Martino.
“From the names it has, (Inter) could be seen as a potential team to be elected but it seems more fair to achieve it through sporting merits. And today we achieved that, having sporting merit,” he argued.
Inter confirmed its leadership of the regular phase with an exciting victory at the home of Columbusthe current league champion, who played the last half hour with one less player due to the expulsion of the Frenchman Rudy Camacho.
After the WAS disallowed a goal for each team, Messi burst into the game on the verge of half-time by controlling a long serve from Jordi Alba.
The Argentine was surrounded by two center backs but a rebound left him in a position to beat the goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Even in stoppage time, the Albiceleste captain created a masterpiece with a free kick that went over the barrier on the outside and left Schulte stunned.
Columbus reacted hand in hand with Diego Rossiwho scored with a great left foot just seconds into the second half.
Two minutes later, Inter breathed thanks to a bad start by Schulte, who collided with Camacho and left the goal served. Luis Suarez.
Columbus had a chance to tie thanks to two maximum penalties awarded by the youngsters. Noah Allen and of Ian Fray.
‘Cucho’ Hernandez converted the first but Callender He guessed the intention in the second and with a great save he secured the visitor’s victory.