MLS highlights: Messi leads Inter Miami’s victory while Muller rescues Vancouver Whitecaps
In an exciting Major League Soccer (MLS) match, Lionel Messi showcased his talent, leading Inter Miami to a resounding 4-0 victory over Atlanta United. This performance marks a significant milestone for Messi, as he scored two goals, bringing his season total to 26. This achievement places him ahead of Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC in the race for the Golden Boot, as both started the day tied with 24 goals.
Match Overview: Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United
The match, pivotal for Miami’s playoff positioning, took place as the club is already guaranteed a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs. With this victory, Miami has amassed 62 points in the Eastern Conference, tying with Cincinnati and trailing leaders Philadelphia by four points.
Goals and Highlights
- 39th Minute: Messi opened the scoring with a stunning left-footed shot, assisted by Baltasar Rodriguez.
- 52nd Minute: Jordi Alba doubled Miami’s lead, finishing with a chip shot over the Atlanta goalkeeper.
- 61st Minute: Luis Suarez added the third goal for Miami.
- 87th Minute: Messi scored his second goal, sealing the victory after receiving a through ball from Alba.
Atlanta’s goalkeeper, Jayden Hibbert, managed to stop several early attempts from Messi, including a key save in the 13th minute. However, he could not contain Messi’s genius for long.
Upcoming Matches and International Duty
As MLS plays through the FIFA international window, Messi’s participation in the next match remained uncertain until just before kickoff. Coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Messi’s availability, even after he trained with the Argentine national team earlier in the week.
Vancouver Whitecaps Triumph
In another match, Thomas Muller led the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC. His decisive goal came in stoppage time, propelling Vancouver into first place in the Western Conference with 63 points, three ahead of San Diego.
- 24th Minute: Dagur Thorhallsson opened the scoring for Orlando.
- 81st Minute: Nelson Pierre equalized for Vancouver.
- Second Half Stoppage Time: Muller clinched the win with a long-range shot past Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Muller’s form since joining MLS has been impressive, with seven goals in his last eight matches across competitions.
Conclusion
The recent performances by both Messi and Muller underline their impact in Major League Soccer as the season approaches its climax. Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps are poised to make significant playoff runs, bolstered by their star players.
