Messi shines with 2 assists as Inter Miami triumphs 3-1 against LAFC in LA.
Inter Miami’s Unbeaten Streak Continues with Messi’s Impact
LOS ANGELES—Inter Miami has been on fire ever since Lionel Messi joined the club in mid-July. Their latest triumph came on Sunday night, as they delivered their best performance of the season against the defending MLS Cup champions, Los Angeles Football Club.
In front of a star-studded crowd, Messi showcased his brilliance with two assists, leading Inter Miami to a resounding 3–1 victory.
Related Stories
“We’ve had many complex matches. I think because of the quality of the opponent today, this was one of the most challenging and the one that we performed the best within 90 minutes. I think it’s a very good sign,” said Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, expressing his satisfaction with the team’s performance.
Facundo Farías, Jordi Alba, and Leonardo Campana were the goal scorers for Miami, extending their unbeaten streak to 11 matches across all competitions. Ryan Hollingshead managed to find the net for LAFC, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide in their favor.
Miami’s visit to Los Angeles was highly anticipated since Messi’s arrival, attracting a record-breaking crowd of 22,921 fans at LAFC’s BMO Stadium. The match quickly became one of the most sought-after tickets in MLS history.
According to TickPick, the average purchase price for the match skyrocketed to $717, a staggering 515 percent increase compared to before Messi’s signing. To put it into perspective, even Beyonce’s concert at SoFi Stadium had a lower average purchase price of $493.
The star-studded event drew the attention of numerous celebrities, including Prince Harry, LAFC co-owner Will Ferrell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, Owen Wilson, Mario Lopez, Edward Norton, and even “Ted Lasso” stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunting.
“It felt similar to a playoff game at the beginning, but I think that is what we expected,” commented LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo on the electric atmosphere.
However, Sunday’s match marked Messi’s last appearance for Miami in the next two weeks. The 36-year-old superstar will be joining Argentina’s national team for World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia.
“We will try to put together the best performance possible against Kansas City (on Saturday),” Martino stated. “We’ll also hope that the players leaving come back healthy and well so that we can continue this stretch.”
Messi’s impact on Inter Miami has been undeniable, contributing 11 goals and eight assists. Despite their impressive form, Miami still finds themselves eight points away from a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with eight regular-season matches remaining.
Notably, Messi’s former Barcelona teammates, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, have also found their rhythm in Miami. Alba has scored two goals since joining the team, while Busquets played a crucial role in setting up Alba’s goal with a well-executed pass from Messi.
“They’re playing in a disciplined manner,” Cherundolo acknowledged Miami’s effectiveness. “It’s very clear that they’re extremely effective on the offensive end. What that means for opponents is you have to be the same because you’re not going to have many chances.”
In the 38th minute, Messi had a golden opportunity to score, but LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy made an incredible save with his left foot. The crowd, including Selena Gomez, was left in awe of McCarthy’s heroics. Despite the disappointment, McCarthy received Messi’s jersey as a token of respect after the game.
Inter Miami’s journey continues without Messi for the next couple of weeks, but their determination remains unwavering. As they strive to secure a playoff spot, fans eagerly await the return of their star player and the team’s relentless pursuit of victory.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
