Inter Miami Secures Top Spot in MLS with Supporters Shield
Historic Season for the Franchise
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — This was how 2024 started for Inter Miami: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, all former Barcelona teammates who won multiple titles together, sitting side-by-side after the first official training session of the new season.
Newest Prize: The Supporters Shield
And here’s the latest scene: Messi, Suarez, Alba, and Busquets were sitting together again Wednesday night, holding their newest prize — the Supporters Shield, the trophy given to the top regular-season team in Major League Soccer.
Wrapping Up the Regular Season
Inter Miami will be the No. 1 seed for the MLS Cup playoffs, the team wrapping up that spot with a 3-2 victory at the Columbus Crew on Wednesday night. It was the league’s most-hyped regular season match of this season, maybe the most-hyped in a long time.
Messi’s Contribution
Messi scored twice to push his total to 17 goals in 17 MLS matches this season, Suarez scored the eventual winner for Inter Miami on Wednesday, and goalkeeper Drake Callender made four saves — including one on a penalty kick late in the second half.
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
"We still have more goals to go after in the playoffs," Callender said.
The Impact of Messi’s Arrival
True, what was awarded Wednesday is not the prize Inter Miami wants most — the MLS Cup is still the biggie — but the shield represents the biggest step yet for the franchise that sputtered through the majority of its first three seasons, then saw everything change on June 7, 2023 when Messi stunned many in the soccer world by saying he was coming to South Florida to continue his career.
The Future is Bright
At 20-4-8, Inter Miami has 68 points with two matches left in the MLS season. In terms of playoff seed, those matches are meaningless. In terms of league history, they are not.
Conclusion
Inter Miami’s historic season has been marked by the arrival of key players, including Messi, Suarez, Alba, and Busquets. The team’s success is a testament to the impact of these players and the team’s commitment to their style of play.
FAQs
Q: How many goals has Messi scored in 17 MLS matches this season?
A: 17 goals
Q: Who scored the eventual winner for Inter Miami on Wednesday?
A: Luis Suarez
Q: How many points does Inter Miami have with two matches left in the MLS season?
A: 68 points
Q: Can Inter Miami break New England’s record of 73 points?
A: Yes, with two wins in their remaining matches, Inter Miami could finish with 74 points.
