Inter Miami Stuns New York RB 3-1 In MLS Showdown

Inter Miami Stuns New York RB 3-1 In MLS Showdown...

Inter Miami delivered a dominant performance against New York Red Bulls on Saturday night, securing a 3-1 victory at Chase Stadium. The match, which drew a sellout crowd of 21,000, saw Lionel Messi contribute with a goal and an assist, further solidifying his impact on the MLS season.

The win propels Inter Miami to second place in the Eastern Conference, just three points behind leaders FC Cincinnati. New York RB, meanwhile, drops to fifth after their second consecutive loss. The game's intensity and Messi's continued brilliance have kept the matchup trending nationwide.

Fans took to social media to praise Miami's attacking play, particularly the chemistry between Messi and striker Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan forward scored his ninth goal of the season, while midfielder Diego Gómez added the third. New York's lone goal came from Elias Manoel in the 79th minute.

The match also marked a milestone for Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who earned his 50th career MLS win. Martino credited his team's defensive adjustments at halftime for shutting down New York's counterattacks in the second half.

With the victory, Inter Miami extends its unbeaten streak to six games. Their next challenge comes Wednesday against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. New York RB will look to rebound next Sunday against New England Revolution.

Broadcast on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass, the match drew record viewership for a regular-season game. League officials noted the growing national interest in MLS, particularly in markets beyond traditional soccer strongholds.

Ticket resale prices for Inter Miami's home games have surged 300% compared to last season, according to SeatGeek data. The "Messi Effect" continues to drive unprecedented attention to American soccer, with Saturday's game being the latest example.