The boots of Lionel Messi produced magic once again as the Argentine maestro bagged two goals in quick succession to help Inter Miami defeat the Columbus Crew 3-2 – securing the Supporters Shield for the Herons.
The Copa America winner – who only recently came back after an injury sustained in the final of this summer’s blockbuster tournament – scored his first goal of the night off a brilliantly picked out long ball from Jordi Alba.
He would score again just five minutes later off a sublime free kick to take Miami into the half up 2-0.
Columbus, the reigning MLS Cup champions, scored their first of the night within seconds of kickoff – only for Luis Suarez to bag Miami’s third after a comical error from the Crew backline.
The Crew would go back within 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 preserve the victory for The Herons.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored the goals that clinched the Supporters Shield for Miami
Messi bagged a brace – while Suarez scored the decisive third goal to clinch the trophy
As a result, Miami wins the Supporters Shield – the trophy given out to the team that finishes the season with the most points.
Traditionally, in other leagues, this would signify winning the competition. However, in MLS, they follow a format similar to traditional American sports – in which a separate knockout style competition (MLS Cup) determines the league’s champions.
It’s the second trophy that Inter Miami have won in their four years of existence after winning the Leagues Cup last season.
Two goals were scored early on by both teams – but they were each disallowed due to offside.
Deadlocked at 0-0 on the doorstep of halftime, Alba spotted Messi on a run and hit a well-timed lofted ball through the air.
The Argentine magician chested it down, then chopped it back to his right foot. A Columbus defender tried toe-poking the ball away, but Messi’s forward momentum kept the ball in his path. A feather touch on the ball was all that was required to get it past Crew keeper Patrick Schulte to take the 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Argentina captain to double his luck. Crew center back Rudy Camacho plowed through the back of Suarez – giving Miami a free kick opportunity from 18-yards out.
Messi stepped up and fired a curled laser that sent Schulte the wrong way and never gave the keeper any hope of recovering – giving Miami a 2-0 lead to take into the half.
Messi wheeled off after scoring his second goal of the night and taking a 2-0 lead
Columbus needed just 21 seconds to get on the board in the second half. Right from the kickoff, a pass played for Diego Rossi was deflected off Jordi Alba and ricocheted off the perfectly angled boot of Mohamed Farsi.
The ball trickled toward Rossi – who hit a well-weighted curled shot past Callender to crawl back within one.
If only they could keep that momentum going. Miami responded just a few minutes later after a wild goal due to backline miscommunication.
A long ball played in the direction of Suarez was met mid-air by the gloves of Schulte, but Camacho ran straight into his own keeper – sending him clattering to the ground and losing the ball in the process.
Suarez jumped right on the loose ball and headed it into the undefended net to make it a 3-1 contest.
The Crew got some life back when they earned a penalty on the hour mark after Miami defender Noah Allen committed a handball in the box.
Up stepped Cucho Hernandez, who had only missed one penalty kick in his entire professional career. He struck it to the right of Callender to make it a 3-2 ballgame.
Just two minutes later, Columbus was down to ten men.
Camacho, having been thoroughly embarrassed by giving up the free kick that led to the second Miami goal and clattering into his keeper which caused the third, had his humiliation complete when he went studs-up into a tackle after turning the ball over in midfield.
On replay, it appeared that the French defender only barely swiped his fellow footballer, but referee Drew Fischer gave him his marching orders.
Columbus found some life with the boot of Cucho Hernandez via a penalty in the 61st minute
Hernandez had a second penalty chance saved by Drake Callender, dooming Columbus
Even still, Columbus had the opportunity to level the game with another penalty caused by yet another handball in the box, this time committed by Ian Fray.
Up again stepped Hernandez. With lower.com Field waiting with baited breath the Colombian ran up to the ball.
He made the wrong decision. Hernandez, successful going to the keeper’s right once tonight, chose to hit the ball in the same spot again – this time, meeting the diving hands of Callender, who parried the shot away.
In the ten minutes of time added on, Columbus tried pushing for the equalizer but found no success. The final whistle blew and Inter Miami were victorious on the night – knowing they’ve secured the top seed in MLS Cup Playoffs.
