Messi's Goal Brings Inter Miami Closer to Eastern Conference Lead

• May 18, 2026 | 06:24

Inter Miami recorded a 2-0 victory at Nu Stadium against Portland Timbers in the Major League Soccer (MLS) season of the United States and Canada. The win brought Inter Miami closer to the Eastern Conference lead, with Nashville, currently in the lead, only two points ahead but having played one fewer match. Portland, meanwhile, remains five points shy of the playoff zone in the Western Conference, where Los Angeles Galaxy currently stands, having played one more match.

Inter Miami's head coach deployed both of his star players, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, from the start. Messi captained the team, while Suárez did not play the full match and was substituted in the 66th minute by Daniel Pinter.

Messi took center stage in the second half, opening the scoring in the 31st minute. He then assisted Hernán Bértoli's goal in the 42nd minute. The second half remained scoreless, and Inter Miami celebrated the victory. The team will face Philadelphia Union next on May 25, with the match starting at 2:00 PM local time. This will be Inter Miami's last match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, after which MLS matches will resume in mid-July.