Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to First MLS Supporters’ Shield with Victory Over Columbus Crew
Lionel Messi expressed his happiness after Inter Miami CF clinched the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against the Columbus Crew on Wednesday night at Lower.com Field in Ohio. The Argentine superstar scored two goals, while his longtime teammate Luis Suárez added another, as Miami held on to secure the trophy despite playing with 10 men for the final 27 minutes.
In a postgame interview with Apple TV, Messi said, “I am happy. Happy that we did it. At the beginning of the year we knew that this was a group to fight for this. We took charge from the beginning, we had the players to do this. I am happy to secure the first objective, and we’re thinking of the next.”
The Herons claimed their first piece of MLS silverware since joining the league as an expansion franchise in 2020, amassing an impressive 68 points in 32 games. The team’s meteoric rise in 2024 can be largely attributed to the contributions of Messi and Suárez, who have accounted for 35 of the team’s 72 goals in 31 matches.
Messi credited coach Gerardo Martino and the arrival of key players for the team’s success, saying, “I think since the arrival of Gerardo Martino and us [Jordi Alba, Suarez and Sergio Busquets], the idea was clear to be protagonist and chase the ball, have the ball and possession. Important players arrived to grow the team in terms of the game and personality. We try to compete in every game.”
The 2024 Supporters’ Shield becomes Messi’s second trophy with Inter Miami and the 46th title of his illustrious career, which includes numerous accolades such as 10 LaLiga trophies, four Champions League triumphs, two Copa América titles, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Coach Martino expressed his satisfaction with the team’s achievement, stating, “I’ve been here one year, I’m happy that we’ve been able to win two titles with him.”
By winning the Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami not only secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs but also remains on course to potentially break the league’s record for most points in a regular season, currently held by the New England Revolution with 73 points in 2021.
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![Headline: Ten Hag Laments Manchester United's Defensive Lapses in 3-3 Europa League Draw Against FC Porto Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticised his players for "switching off" during their 3-3 draw against FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday. Despite taking a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes at Estadio do Dragao, United conceded twice in seven minutes to go into half-time level, before falling behind early in the second half. In a post-match news conference, Ten Hag expressed his mixed feelings about the result, saying, "We scored two great goals and then we switched off. We don't keep possession and defending, we're switching off. We concede the first goal totally unnecessary and then you light up the fire in this stadium and it becomes very tough." The Dutch manager revealed that he addressed the issues at half-time, but was disappointed with his team's defending for the third goal. "We addressed it at half-time and then you concede a third one, so unnecessary. It's no good defending again. That's also to do with some willingness in some moments," he said. Ten Hag also had to defend his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time, despite the forward scoring United's opening goal and looking sharp throughout the first half. Initially, the manager stated that the substitution was made to keep Rashford fresh for the upcoming match against Aston Villa on Sunday. However, he later hinted that the change was made because both of Porto's first-half goals had come from crosses on Rashford's side of the pitch. "Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games," Ten Hag explained. "I think in the season as I assess it so far, he is bringing us so far the offensive threat by creating chances, assists, also scoring. Garnacho, we also had to play him as well and we have two very good players over that side." He added, "I have to watch [the game] back and I think over the left side definitely we didn't defend well tonight and Marcus also played a part in this. But, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy." Despite the disappointing result, United managed to salvage a point thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute Harry Maguire. The draw leaves Manchester United with work to do in their quest to progress in the Europa League.](https://futbolchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FC-Porto-v-Manchester-United-UEFA-Europa-League-202425-League-Phase-MD2-5.jpg)
Ten Hag Laments Manchester United’s Defensive Lapses in 3-3 Europa League Draw Against FC Porto
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