Lionel Messi maintained his impressive scoring streak in MLS, netting twice as league leaders Inter Miami rallied to secure a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Lionel Messi continued his goal-scoring spree in Major League Soccer, finding the net twice as Inter Miami secured a 4-1 comeback victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday. This performance helped Messi solidify his position as the league's top scorer, with nine goals in seven appearances this season. A crowd of over 65,000 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, turned out to watch the Argentine legend in action.
New England, despite struggling with a virus outbreak and sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, got off to a fast start with an early goal by Tomas Chancalay, who chipped over the Miami goalkeeper to give his team the lead.
However, Messi brought Miami level in the 32nd minute after receiving a through ball from Robert Taylor and calmly slotting it past the keeper. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored again in the 68th minute with a superb finish, thanks to a defense-splitting pass from his former Barcelona teammate, Sergio Busquets.
Messi's influence continued in the game's later stages. Substitute Benjamin Cremaschi made it 3-1 after a Messi shot was parried, and Luis Suarez sealed the victory with a powerful strike into the top corner, following an assist from Messi.
Inter Miami's coach, Gerardo Martino, expressed satisfaction with the team's progress, highlighting their character and consistency after three consecutive wins. The team's form has improved since their exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with Messi scoring five times during this winning streak.
New England coach Caleb Porter acknowledged Messi's brilliance while expressing disappointment with his team's defensive lapses. "That's Messi," Porter remarked, emphasizing how Messi's talent can turn the tide of a game.
In other MLS action, Christian Benteke scored twice for D.C. United in their 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders took the lead through Leo Chu, but a red card for goalkeeper Stefan Frei after a foul in the box changed the game's momentum, allowing Benteke to equalize and later secure the win with a header.
Real Salt Lake claimed the top spot in the Western Conference with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union, who suffered their first loss of the season. Austin FC defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0, while defending MLS champions Columbus Crew were held to a goalless draw against Montreal.
Overall, the latest MLS results showcase the ongoing excitement and unpredictability of the league, with Messi's continued success drawing significant attention and crowds to Inter Miami's matches.
