Inter Miami Claims Supporters Shield, Home-Field Advantage in Playoffs with Messi's Magic

Lionel Messi's double against the defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew secured the Supporters Shield for Inter Miami, a record-extending 46th major trophy for the Argentine legend.

With two goals in the final minutes of the first half, Lionel Messi propelled Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory over the defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew, clinching the Supporters Shield and home-field advantage throughout the Major League Soccer playoffs.

Messi's brilliance extended his record for the most major trophies won by any men's soccer player in history to 46. The Supporters Shield, awarded annually to the team with the best regular-season record, joined the Leagues Cup trophy that Inter Miami claimed shortly after Messi joined the club in 2023.

Inter Miami Claims Supporters Shield, Home-Field Advantage in Playoffs with Messi's Magic

"We knew this was a group that could fight for this," Messi said after the match. "We have a great advantage in that we play all the games at home, which was what we were looking for. I think that we are very, very strong at home."

Inter Miami's triumph also puts them within reach of the best MLS regular-season mark ever. With Wednesday's win, their record improved to 20-4-8, giving them 68 points. Two more victories in their remaining matches would push them to 74 points, surpassing the single-season points record set by New England in 2021.

Messi's first goal came in the 45th minute, when he received a long pass from Barcelona legend Jordi Alba and split two defenders before squeezing the ball past Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. About five minutes later, Messi doubled the lead with a free kick from 30 yards out, sending the ball between Schulte and the near post.

Columbus responded in the second half with a goal from Diego Rossi, but Luis Suárez quickly restored the two-goal cushion with a header into an empty net. Juan "Cucho" Hernández's penalty kick brought Columbus within 3-2, but Rudy Camacho's red card for a second yellow card left the Crew playing with 10 men.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Columbus still created chances, but goalkeeper Drake Callender made several crucial saves, including a penalty stop in the 84th minute. Messi's brace marked his fifth two-goal game of the MLS season, bringing his total to 17 goals in 17 league matches.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino praised Messi's contribution: "Dominant. He makes everything look so easy."

With Inter Miami's remaining matches against Toronto and New England, the Supporters Shield victory serves as a springboard towards their ultimate goal of the MLS Cup. "Dec. 7 is what we want," Martino said, referring to the date of the MLS Cup final. "But this is not insignificant today."