Tuesday night, Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi made their most impact yet by defeating the Philadelphia Union 4-1 in the Leagues Cup playoffs.
The Herons are one game away from winning their first-ever trophy thanks to the victory, which guarantees them a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup (one of three Leagues Cup spots). The new-look team of Tata Martino will face either Nashville SC or CF Monterrey in the championship game on Saturday. Their opponent will be revealed later on Tuesday night.
Josef Martnez’s third-minute goal, which beat Union goalkeeper Andre Blake after latching onto Sergii Kryvtsov’s ball in behind, gave Miami the lead early, as has become their style during this incredible Leagues Cup run.
With a golazo in the 20th minute, Messi increased his lead in the Golden Boot race to nine goals in his first six Miami appearances. The Argentine superstar continued his remarkable MLS trip past Blake with a 30-yard bomb after a transaction on July 15 kicked off Miami’s elite summer roster overhaul.
In stoppage time, Jordi Alba’s lung-busting run was rewarded with a through pass from Robert Taylor, continuing the Union’s dismal first half. For a 3-0 advantage, the storied FC Barcelona left defender, who also joined Miami this summer, nipped his shot past Blake.
After returning from injury, seasoned midfielder Alejdnaro Bedoya gave Philadelphia hope by bringing the score level in the 73rd minute with a corner-kick scramble. The 84th minute, however, saw those aspirations dashed as Miami’s own David Ruiz sealed a 4-1 victory, giving the Hurricanes four goals in four of their six Leagues Cup games this summer.
