Oct 21,2024
Lionel Messi's hat-trick led Inter Miami to an MLS single-season points record after their 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution on MLS Decision Day.
Despite not entering the match in Fort Lauderdale until the 58th minute, Messi assisted on Benjamin Cremaschi's goal to make it 3-2 just seconds after the superstar forward came off the substitute bench. Messi then scored the final three of Miami's six unanswered goals, after trailing 2-0 after 39 minutes.
With 74 points Miami broke the old mark of 73 points, set by the 2021 Revolution squad. With the points record and the Supporters' Shield clinched, David Beckham's club now look to finish the story by capturing the MLS Cup.
Luis Suarez had two goals and two assists, with both strikes coming within a four-minute span in the first half.
Both Messi and Suarez finished their first full MLS seasons with 20 goals apiece. Messi also had 16 assists in his 19 regular-season matches, while Suarez contributed nine assists in 27 matches.
All three of Messi's goals came between the 78th and 89th minutes. The final strike saw Suarez make a leaping touch to cross the ball to Messi.
Miami's first play-off match is on Friday against the winner of the Eastern Conference wild-card match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was on hand after the game to announce Inter Miami have been awarded a spot in next year's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and will host the opening game of the 32-team tournament.
Miami, who won their first MLS Supporters' Shield this month as the club with the most points in the regular season, are the penultimate team added to the June 15-July 13 tournament being held around the United States.
"Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters' Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play," Infantino said.
"Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States."
The United States were always set to have a host club in the tournament, but rather than award the spot to the winner of the 7 December MLS Cup final, FIFA determined the Supporters' Shield winner recognises consistent performance over a 34-game season.
