Inter Miami are on the brink of Major League Soccer history – and this time, Lionel Messi barely helped.
The David Beckham owned franchise are having a stellar season with their superstar squad and have already won the Supporters’ Shield.
GettyMessi and Suarez were celebrating again on Saturday[/caption]
Now a 1-0 win over Toronto – secured in injury time – has them set to smash an all-time record in America.
Manager Tata Martino had rested plenty of his key men, including Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
Gradually, starting at the hour-mark he turned to the big guns at the BMO Field.
By the 71st minutes, Inter Miami were locked in but it took until the third minute of injury time for them to nick a winner.
It came courtesy of a lovely assist from Luis Suarez.
The Uruguayan had drifted out to the left flank and after an exchange with Leonardo Campana he delivered a sensational first-time volley assist.
And it was Campana and not regular buddy Messi who was able to acrobatically put the ball into the back of the net past Sean Johnson.
The result now has Inter Miami on 71 points this season, with the record total standing at 73 – set by New England Revolution in 2021.
And as things would have it, the team they will face in their last fixture before the play-offs is… New England.
These days the Revs, aren’t even challenging for the play-offs as they sit 14th out of 15 in the Eastern Conference.
GettyMessi is the star of the show in the MLS but pitch invasions are blighting his spell in America[/caption]
Nevertheless, they have a record to protect and who would bet against a team desperate to deny Messi even more history.
The Supporters Shield was the 46th trophy of his iconic career and the MLS Cup would be an incredible way of making it 47.
Many people will look to Messi being the key for Miami but Suarez’s contributions have also been vital.
He’s hit 18 goals and seven assists in MLS this season, while his Argentine teammate has 17 goals and 10 assists.
A few more from both and Beckham’s American dream will be fully realised.