Inter Miami made Major League Soccer history on the final day of the regular season, securing a 6-2 home victory over New England Revolution and setting a new league record with 74 points in a single season. The win, fueled by Lionel Messi’s hat trick, surpassed the previous record of 73 points set by New England in 2021.
Despite a challenging start that saw them fall behind 2-0 in the first half, Inter Miami staged a remarkable comeback. Luis Suárez ignited the turnaround with two quick goals just before halftime, equalizing the score in the 40th and 43rd minutes.
The second half belonged to Messi and his teammates. Benjamin Cremaschi put Miami ahead shortly before the hour mark, followed by Messi’s spectacular performance. The Argentine superstar netted three goals, including a long-range stunner and a brilliant solo run, bringing his season tally to 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 appearances.
This victory caps an impressive season for Inter Miami, who secured the 2024 Supporters’ Shield with a record of 22 wins, 8 draws, and 4 defeats, along with a +30 goal difference. The team’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given Messi’s absence for a significant portion of the season due to international duties and an ankle injury.
Luis Suárez also emerged as a key player this season, contributing 20 goals and 9 assists in 27 appearances, making him another strong contender for the Landon Donovan MVP award alongside Messi.
With the regular season concluded, Inter Miami now turns its attention to the MLS Cup playoffs. They will face the winner of the Wild Card match between Atlanta United and CF Montréal in a Round One Best of Three series.
This record-breaking performance cements Inter Miami’s status as a powerhouse in MLS and sets high expectations for their playoff run. The team’s ability to blend star power with consistent performance throughout the season positions them as strong contenders for the MLS Cup.