Inter Miami's Lionel Messi led his team to a convincing 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati, advancing to their first-ever Eastern Conference final as they continue their deepest playoff run in club history. The win, which came on Sunday, follows their previous round one victory over Nashville SC by the same score.
Miami's second consecutive 4-0 playoff win was thanks largely to Messi and a youthful attacking quartet that has shown signs of reaching new heights in recent matches. Suárez, who had been returning from a red card suspension, was left on the bench for the match despite his impressive form so far this season.
Messi scored one goal, but provided three assists in the win, contributing to every single Miami tally. He has now scored six goals and added six assists this postseason, further solidifying his case as a contender for MLS MVP honors. Messi's involvement in Miami's offense appears to be growing stronger by the minute.
Inter Miami took control of the match early on, with Mateo Silvetti opening the scoring in the 57th minute off a through ball from Lionel Messi. A short sequence later, Messi made way for Tadeo Allende who scored his second goal for the team and put the game out of reach.
In a separate match, New York City FC edged past Philadelphia Union 1-0 on Sunday night to secure their place in the Eastern Conference final. Maxi Moralez opened the scoring with a beautifully timed shot from the center of the area that beat goalkeeper Andre Blake at his near post. The match marked the Union's home defeat for just the second time this season.
The decisive goal came on 27th minutes when Moralez perfectly timed his run to receive a ball played ahead by Nicolás Fernández and slip past Blake with a rolling shot from the center of the area, which slipped inside the left post. Despite outshooting their opponents 9-3 in the first half and overall, Philadelphia could not find a way past Matt Freese's five saves.
As Miami prepare to face NYC FC at home in the Eastern Conference final, they will be looking to continue their momentum while pushing themselves closer to the MLS Cup title.
Miami's second consecutive 4-0 playoff win was thanks largely to Messi and a youthful attacking quartet that has shown signs of reaching new heights in recent matches. Suárez, who had been returning from a red card suspension, was left on the bench for the match despite his impressive form so far this season.
Messi scored one goal, but provided three assists in the win, contributing to every single Miami tally. He has now scored six goals and added six assists this postseason, further solidifying his case as a contender for MLS MVP honors. Messi's involvement in Miami's offense appears to be growing stronger by the minute.
Inter Miami took control of the match early on, with Mateo Silvetti opening the scoring in the 57th minute off a through ball from Lionel Messi. A short sequence later, Messi made way for Tadeo Allende who scored his second goal for the team and put the game out of reach.
In a separate match, New York City FC edged past Philadelphia Union 1-0 on Sunday night to secure their place in the Eastern Conference final. Maxi Moralez opened the scoring with a beautifully timed shot from the center of the area that beat goalkeeper Andre Blake at his near post. The match marked the Union's home defeat for just the second time this season.
The decisive goal came on 27th minutes when Moralez perfectly timed his run to receive a ball played ahead by Nicolás Fernández and slip past Blake with a rolling shot from the center of the area, which slipped inside the left post. Despite outshooting their opponents 9-3 in the first half and overall, Philadelphia could not find a way past Matt Freese's five saves.
As Miami prepare to face NYC FC at home in the Eastern Conference final, they will be looking to continue their momentum while pushing themselves closer to the MLS Cup title.
lionel messi is literally the real deal right now! he's been on fire this postseason and his assist game is so strong 
i love how he's creating chances for his teammates and putting them in position to score. suárez might be sitting this one out but i'm sure he'll be back and ready to make an impact soon 
as for nyc fc, maxi moralez's goal was absolute perfection 
the way he timed that run was insane! can't wait to see what these two teams bring to the eastern conference final 
, and Suárez being left on the bench despite his form doesn't make sense... maybe he's getting too much pressure? 
Inter Miami's squad depth is impressive tho 
, and that young attacking quartet is 
!
. Messi was on fire, but he didn't just rely on himself to win. He played with his teammates and made those assists happen. That's what we call teamwork and trust in action 
.
. They didn't give up, even when things weren't going their way. That shows heart and determination, which is essential in any competition 
. Let's see how this all plays out! 
But seriously, Suárez being left on the bench didn't make sense, he's been doing so well lately. 
It'll be interesting to see if they can keep their momentum going and take home that MLS Cup title. Fingers crossed for them! 
they're definitely gonna give NYC FC a run for their money in the Eastern Conference final. Suárez might be sitting on the bench, but Messi's magic is carrying them to victory 
And Suárez gets left on the bench, what a bummer for him, I guess he'll have to wait till next week. 
️
I'm loving the excitement of these playoffs, it's like a whole new season all over again! 
. I mean, I'm not surprised but still, 4-0 over FC Cincinnati? that's just ridiculous 
. Suárez might've been left on the bench but Messi didn't need him, he was all over the place causing chaos 
.
. I'm hyped to see what Messi and Co. bring to the party in their next match 
THEY'RE ON FIRE AND LIONEL MESSI IS THE REASON WHY! HE'S BEEN UNSTOPPABLE IN THIS PLAYOFF RUN, PROVIDING THREE ASSISTS IN EVERY GAME AND SCORING SIX GOALS SO FAR. HIS INVOLVEMENT IN THE TEAM'S OFFENSE IS GETTING STRONGER BY THE MINUTE, AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE HE LEADS THEM TO THAT MLS CUP TITLE!