Messi leads Inter Miami CF to MLS Cup

Lionel Messi, who is perhaps the world's best soccer player, didn't have a goal in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final but his assists lifted Inter Miami CF to their first MLS Cup title by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1.

In front of their home fans at a packed Chase Stadium in South Florida, Miami took an early lead thanks to an own goal scored by Vancouver's Edier Ocampo in the eighth minute.  Despite the bad start, Vancouver took over and later tied the score in the 60th minute on a goal form Ali Ahmed.  In the 71st minute, Messi stole the ball then made a pass to De Paul who beat Vancouver goalie Yohei Takaoka to put Miami back in front 2-1.  Messi provided another assist later in the 96th minute to Tadeo Allende to seal the win and the title.  

Watch highlights of the game: https://youtu.be/CzZsSW1nUog?si=_xnj7yVxI8ewc34b

Inter Miami entered the MLS in the 2020 season and finished 10th in their first season.  In 2023, they were 14th but in 2024 with the arrival of Messi, they turned it around and finished in first place in 2024, losing in the first round to Atlanta United in three games.  This season they finished third in the Eastern Conference.  They defeated Nashville SC 3-1, 1-2, 4-0 in the first round, defeated FC Cincinnati 4-0 in the conference semifinals then topped New York City FC 5-1 for the Eastern Conference championship.