Lionel Messi scored one goal and made three assists, and Tadeo Allende scored
two goals, as Inter Miami defeated FC Cincinnati 4-0 on Sunday. This win helped
Miami reach its first Eastern Conference final.
Miami will play New York City FC on Saturday. The team that wins will go to the
MLS Cup on December 6.
Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, said he was proud of the team for playing well
on a difficult field and against a strong opponent. He said the players played
“almost a perfect match.”
Cincinnati had one of the best records in MLS this season, but they could not
match Miami in this game. Their coach, Pat Noonan, said it was a tough loss and
apologized to the fans.
That changed in the 19th minute when he headed in a short pass from Mateo
Silvetti, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. This was Messi’s 11th goal in his last
seven games.