Inter Miami CF won the Supporters’ Shield after securing another victory on Wednesday – being awarded to the team with the best regular season record in MLS before going into the playoffs to compete for the MLS Cup.
Former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi starred throughout the season with 17 goals and 15 assists, along with Luis Suarez scoring 18. David Beckham’s side are closing in on a league record for the most points ever in a regular season.
The Florida outfit will need wins in their last two games against Toronto FC and New England Revolution to break the record for most points in a season (73).
Inter Miami can get to 74 with wins in their last two.
Messi secured his 46th major career title on Wednesday after scoring two goals in the win over current MLS Cup champions Colombus Crew, with Suarez also getting on the scoresheet in a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates a goal during the first half against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on October 02, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
He scored the first goal of the game after scoring 40 minutes in and then expertly curled a free-kick into the top-left corner just before halftime.
The former champions then replied moments after the restart, with Diego Rossi bagging from close-range goal within 25 seconds of the second half. But Suarez was able to give Miami a two-goal lead once again as he capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake to head into an empty net.
Columbus were subsequently granted two penalties, both taken by star striker Cucho Hernandez with one being scored and one missed as Miami went on to secure the win and the trophy.
