On Sunday, Inter Miami defeated Major League Soccer winners Los Angeles FC 3-1, with two assists from Lionel Messi strengthening their playoff hopes.
Miami earned a statement victory with to goals from Argentine striker Facundo Farias, Spanish fullback Jordi Alba, and Ecuador substitute Leonardo Campana, who moved them within nine points of the playoff spots with nine games remaining.
Messi’s first MLS appearance in Los Angeles drew a sold-out audience that included a slew of A-List celebrities including as Leonardo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, and Prince Harry.
But the home fans left frustrated as last year’s MLS Cup winners wasted a series of chances.
Denis Bouanga, a French-born Gabonese international, got the first chance, bursting goalwards, but with Mexican Carlos Vela unmarked to his right, he opted to shoot and his effort was blocked, much to the chagrin of his colleague.
In the 11th minute, Bouanga had another fantastic chance following a fine through ball from former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini, but Miami goalie Drake Callender made an excellent save.
Miami seized the lead in the 14th minute as Tomas Aviles split the LAFC defense to find Farias, who beat John McCarthy with a low shot on the slide.
Miami battled to control Bouanga, but the Los Angeles striker was unable to capitalize on another opportunity when he sprinted through the middle but fired wide.
When Mario Gonzalez was allowed room for a shot, he blasted into the side-netting as Miami became increasingly dangerous on the counter.
Diego Gomez of Paraguay rushed forward and sent a brilliant back-heel to Messi, but the Argentine’s attempt was feeble and easily saved by McCarthy.
Before the break, Messi had his finest chance of the game, again set up by the superb Gomez, but his lofted shot was pushed away by the LAFC keeper.
‘Nice Test’
When Miami’s former Barcelona trio combined in style in the 51st minute, LAFC paid the price for their wastefulness in front of goal.
Sergio Busquets, a Spanish midfielder, fed Messi, who picked out the overlapping Alba, who surged into the area and scored with a crisp, left-footed finish.
Miami was in command and sealed the victory in the 83rd minute when Messi sprinted from midfield and slid the ball outside to Campana, who finished with a looping finish.
“You know what Leo is, what he can give on the pitch. He gets the best (out) of everyone,” said a beaming Campana.
“Right now, the goal is to achieve the playoffs and I hope we can do it to give happiness to the people of Miami,” added the striker.
LA received a late consolation goal from Ryan Hollingshead’s glancing header from a corner, and while the Western Conference’s third-place squad should have little issue making the playoffs, they had been taught a lesson in finishing.
Miami was bottom of the East and winless in 11 MLS games prior to Messi’s arrival, and since winning the League Cup, the Florida club has won two and drawn one.
“It was a nice test for us to see where we stood, what we were able to do on a difficult ground against a very good opponent, the winners last year and we earned a very important victory for what is coming,” Messi told broadcasters Apple TV.
“This group grows more every day, we have been saying it since the beginning of all this. We were lucky to get a tournament and get into a final and now the goal is to get into the playoffs and fight for the league,” he added.
“I feel good physically. Thank God I can continue playing and help the team in whatever way I can and hopefully we continue in this dynamic,” he added.
In the other game on Sunday, the Philadelphia Union defeated the New York Red Bulls 4-1 to keep their playoff chances alive.
When Red Bulls’ Sean Nealis was sent off for handling the ball and receiving a second yellow card, the score was 1-1.
After the intermission, Philadelphia capitalized on the extra man with goals from Jamaican Damion Lowe, Argentina’s Julian Carranza, and Hungarian Daniel Gazdag.