Colmbus Crew 2-3 Inter Miami: Messi, Suarez seal Supporters´ Shield success

Lionel Messi scored twice and Luis Suarez got the winner as Inter Miami beat 10-man Columbus Crew 3-2 to claim the Supporters’ Shield in MLS.

After three straight draws, Miami needed a victory to guarantee they got their hands on the shield, which is awarded to MLS’ best team in the regular season, and they got over the line in frantic fashion on Wednesday.

Miami’s goals came between the 45th and 48th minute, with Messi, who had not recorded a direct goal contribution in any of his last three away appearances, netting the opening two.

Having already teed up a Diego Gomez goal that was disallowed, Messi engineered space in the box to drill home and break the deadlock, before doubling his tally five minutes later with a sensational free-kick.

Diego Rossi dragged the Crew back into it straight after the restart, but parity lasted just two minutes as Suarez capitalised on an error from Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.

Cucho Hernandez, who had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, converted a penalty to reduce the arrears yet again, only for the Crew to go down to 10 when Rudy Camacho picked up two bookings in the space of four minutes.

There was to be more drama, though, as Miami defender Ian Fray was judged to have handled in the area, yet this time, Drake Callender guessed correctly to deny Hernandez and ensure victory for Miami.

What a season so far. @InterMiamiCF are your 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners! pic.twitter.com/anoK2yFXHD

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 3, 2024

Data Debrief: Record points total within reach

That is Miami’s second piece of silverware in the bag, after their Leagues Cup triumph last year, and the Herons’ focus will now switch to an MLS record.

If they win their remaining two games before the postseason, against Toronto FC and New England Revolution, Miami will set the MLS regular-season points record, overtaking the tally of 73 set by the Revolution in 2021.