Inter Miami made another loud statement on Sunday night, cruising past Cincinnati 4-0 in the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal and booking their first ever spot in the East final. Once again, it was the Lionel Messi show, with a goal and three assists, plus a clinical second half brace from Tadeo Allende.
Teenager Mateo Silvetti added a goal and an assist as the third seed Miami continued the deepest playoff run in club history. Javier Mascherano’s side will now host New York City FC, who edged top seed Philadelphia Union 1-0 to reach the same stage.
Cincinnati, once again knocked out at home, fell just short of a second conference final in three postseason appearances. Miami, meanwhile, are starting to look like a team that has figured out playoff football at exactly the right moment.
Mascherano opted not to rush Luis Suarez back into the starting eleven after his suspension, and the younger attacking unit barely missed a beat. Over the past two matches, Miami have scored eight and conceded none, with Messi involved in every single goal this postseason.
His opener came in the 19th minute, finishing off a fluid move that started with Jordi Alba stepping forward to intercept a loose pass. Silvetti delivered a precise cross and Messi rose perfectly to guide a header past Roman Celentano.
After the break, the tempo shifted. Silvetti doubled the lead in the 57th minute following a sharp transition that again ran through Messi’s awareness and timing. Allende then took over, striking in the 62nd and 74th minutes, both on fast breaks created and fed by Messi’s vision.
Six goals and six assists in this playoff run underline the obvious. Messi is not just participating. He is orchestrating.
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