For the second straight marketing campaign, Lionel Messi is closing out the season on a excessive word with a hat trick as Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 5-2 on Saturday night time. On account of FC Cincinnati additionally successful on Resolution Day, that signifies that the Herons cannot climb above third within the Jap Convention and can set them up for a rematch going through Nashville in a best-of-three collection within the opening spherical.
With Messi scoring a hat trick and Sam Surridge additionally scoring for Nashville, that could possibly be a blockbuster of a playoff collection as Miami could have the added psychological increase of defeating Nashville to shut out the season. Not solely has Lionel Messi seemingly secured the Golden Boot along with his twenty ninth aim on the season (Denis Bouanga would want 5 to catch him for Los Angeles FC as he has 24 presently), however he has additionally seemingly secured a second consecutive league MVP award along with his nineteenth help alongside that (together with secondary assists). It is the second-best single-season aim contribution season behind solely Carlos Vela’s 34 targets and 15 assists in 2019, which exhibits the historic nature of what we’re experiencing watching the Argentine quantity 10.
The season hasn’t gone in keeping with plan for Miami as they’ve but to win a knockout match, however successful the MLS Cup would be capable to flip issues into a hit for Javier Mascherano and the Herons. After being knocked out within the MLS Cup playoffs within the first spherical by Atlanta United final season, which prompted a complete overhaul of the staff and the teaching employees, getting previous Nashville will likely be crucial.
For something that Miami need to do, Messi will likely be crucial to it as they will look to ship Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba into retirement on the appropriate foot. They’re fairly aware of B.J. Callaghan’s Nashville facet, having squared off six instances because the starting of 2024. They’ve performed in stress situations with the Herons, defeating Nashville within the 2023 Leagues Cup ultimate to win the match and getting previous Nashville within the knockouts of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Nashville will pay attention to that historical past and seeking to do the home double after successful the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the primary time of their historical past, so the winner of this collection will likely be a formidable opponent for whoever they face within the knockout rounds, however get the popcorn prepared as a result of this will likely be price watching.
The primary spherical of the MLS Cup playoffs will happen from Oct. 24 to Nov. 9, giving each groups a little bit of time to relaxation. Miami will host the primary and final matches, with the center fixture being in Nashville, and the primary staff to 2 wins will advance to the convention semifinals.
