Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew, helping the club win the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the first time.
After scoring the first goal from close range, the Argentina playmaker doubled the lead for the away team with a magnificent free kick in first-half stoppage time.
The lead was cut in half by Crew winger Diego Rossi in Ohio, but Inter Miami’s lead was maintained after Cucho Hernandez’s penalty kick, thanks to a goal from former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
With their win, Miami will take first place in the standings and achieve their first-ever Supporters’ Shield, which is awarded to the MLS team with the best regular season record, since their debut in 2020.
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The trophy is Messi’s 46th trophy in his glittering club and international career.
By finishing first in the standings, Miami secured home field advantage in the postseason play-offs.
“The first objective has been achieved and now we have to think about what’s next,” Messi informed the crowd.
“The first round consists of three games, but after that, it is just one game, and anything can happen. But we have the distinct advantage of playing all of the games at home, which is exactly what we were looking for. “We are extremely strong at home.”
Miami needs two wins in their final two league games to break the MLS record for most points in a regular season, which is currently 73, set by the New England Revolution in 2021.
