LAFC v Miami
Lionel Messi assists 2 as Inter Miami beats MLS champs LAFC
Facundo Farias, Jordi Alba and Leonardo Campana scored goals, Lionel Messi had two assists and Inter Miami CF increased its unbeaten run to a club-record 11 matches with a 3-1 victory over LAFC on Sunday.
Drake Callender made five saves as Miami improved to 10-0-1 across all competitions since Messi's first match with the club July 21. The run includes a Leagues Cup title in the Aug. 19 final against Nashville SC.
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Inter Miami (7-14-4, 25 points) rebounded from a scoreless draw against Nashville on Wednesday, with the club 2-0-1 in MLS play during the Messi era.
Ryan Hollingshead scored off a set piece in the 90th minute for LAFC (11-8-7, 40 points) to avoid the shutout. John McCarthy had three saves for the defending MLS Cup champions, who are in third place in the Western Conference.
LAFC nearly took an early lead after a Denis Bouanga shot from close range in the 11th minute, but Callender punched the ball away with a closed right fist.
Farias gave Inter Miami a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute on a sliding shot from just inside the penalty area after a long through ball from midfield by Tomas Aviles. It was Farias' first goal with Inter Miami in his third match and second start.
Messi had a prime scoring chance in the 38th minute, but his left-footed shot from near the penalty spot was deflected by McCarthy.
Alba made it 2-0 in the 51st minute when he scored from the center of the penalty area off a long through ball from Messi. Campana sealed the victory when he finished a two-on-one break with a left-footed goal off a Messi pass. The assists were Messi's first in MLS regular-season action.
Inter Miami started all six of their summer signings together for the first time: Messi, Farias, Aviles, Alba, Sergio Busquets and Diego Gomez.
The star-studded crowd at Los Angeles included Prince Harry of Wales, actors Owen Wilson and Leonardo DiCaprio, musician/actress Selena Gomez and comedian/actor Will Ferrell, who is part of the LAFC ownership group.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ted Unkel
MLS Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull New York | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 6 |
| Nashville SC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 4 |
| New York City FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Chicago Fire FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| FC Cincinnati | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| D.C. United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Inter Miami CF | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Columbus Crew | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Charlotte FC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 1 |
| Philadelphia Union | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| Orlando City SC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| Toronto FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| New England Revolution | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| Atlanta United FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| CF Montréal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -8 | 0 |
MLS Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego FC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 6 |
| LAFC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| LA Galaxy | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 4 |
| Minnesota United FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Austin FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| FC Dallas | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| Real Salt Lake | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Colorado Rapids | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Portland Timbers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| St. Louis CITY SC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 1 |
MLS News