Inter Miami CF 3 – 1 Seattle Sounders FC
Lionel Messi had gone scoreless in the previous two matches, and Inter Miami had also failed to secure a win in those games. On Wednesday morning, however, Messi returned to the scoresheet in Major League Soccer (MLS), both scoring and assisting against the Seattle Sounders.
The Argentine legend’s goals helped Inter Miami claim a 3–1 victory over Seattle. This win also served as sweet revenge for Miami, who had lost 3–0 to the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final on September 1.
At Florida’s DRV PNK Stadium, the 38-year-old Messi created a goal for Spanish teammate Jordi Alba in the 12th minute. Then, in the 41st minute, Messi himself scored from an Alba pass, putting Miami 2–0 up. This marked Messi’s 880th career goal.
This year alone, Messi has contributed to 40 goals, extending his remarkable streak to 19 consecutive years with at least 40 goal contributions. After halftime, American Ian Fray added Miami’s third goal in the 52nd minute, while Mexican midfielder Óscar Ureña scored for the Sounders in the 69th minute.
In the Leagues Cup final, the Sounders had beaten Miami 3–0, a match that ended in post-game altercations. Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez spat at a Sounders official and was subsequently suspended for six matches in the Leagues Cup and three in the MLS, preventing him from playing in Wednesday’s game.
Prior to this win, Miami had suffered a 3–0 defeat against Charlotte last Saturday, dropping to eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The victory over Seattle lifted Inter Miami to fifth place with 49 points from 27 matches, recording 14 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses.
Although they remain eight points behind Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia, Miami has three games in hand. Their next MLS match is against D.C. United on September 21.
