MATCH REVIEW: Inter Miami CF sets new MLS single-season points record with 6-2 victory over New England Revolution

Inter Miami CF (22W-4L-8D, 74 points) made a remarkable comeback, earning a historic 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution at Chase Stadium on Saturday night. The result on MLS Decision Day concluded the 2024 regular season and resulted in the team setting a new league single-season points record. With the win, Inter Miami reached 74 points, surpassing the previous mark of 73 points set by the New England Revolution in 2021.

The resounding triumph was led by a masterful performance from second-half substitute and icon Lionel Messi. Our captain scored a hat trick and provided an assist to make MLS history. With his trio of goals and one assist, he became only the fifth player in MLS history to have at least 36 goal involvements in a single season and the first player in league history to score three goals in a game as a substitute contributed an assist. With the hat trick, he also made club history by scoring 33 goals for Inter Miami, overtaking Leonardo Campana (32 goals) as the club's all-time top goalscorer.

A brace from star striker Luis Suárez and a goal from academy junior Benjamin Cremaschi rounded off the team's impressive victory on the final day of the regular season.

Inter Miami took the field at Chase Stadium for its final game of the 2024 regular season with Drake Callender in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, David Martínez and Jordi Alba formed a back four; Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets and Cremaschi started in midfield; Julian Gressel and Robert Taylor flanked striker Suárez and led the team's attack.

Notably, Martínez's start marked his return from injury and made his first appearance since the team's win at Philadelphia Union on September 14.

The guests took an early lead with a goal from Luca Langoni in the second minute of the game. Dylan Borrero then scored a second goal for the Revs in the 34th minute.

Suárez reduced the deficit with Inter Miami's first goal of the night in the 40th minute. A great team game ended with Martínez setting up Suárez in the penalty area, who touched the ball before putting the ball into the net with a left-footed shot. The goal was Suárez's 19th of the MLS season. The assist was the first for Martínez in MLS and the second assist increased Taylor's tally to five assists this regular season.

Suárez struck again minutes later, securing his brace and leveling the game at 2-2 before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Suárez received a pass from Bright in the final third of the field before bursting into space, cutting to the right and scoring with a deft right-footed shot at the near post. The goal was his 20th of the regular season, while the assist was Bright's third of the season.

Inter Miami then made a game-winning change in the 58th minute that was crucial to the team's comeback: Captain Messi came on for Gressel. Seconds later, a brilliant pass from Messi found Alba in free space on the left side of the opposition penalty area, who then assisted Cremaschi in front of goal to put the ball into the net from close range. The goal was Cremaschi's fourth of the regular season. The assist was Alba's 14th of the regular season and the second assist was Messi's 16th of the league season.

Messi would then deliver a masterful performance in attack, scoring a hat-trick to secure the three points for Inter Miami. Goals from the Argentine champions in the 78th, 81st and 89th minutes increased the team's lead to four. With his three goals and assists on the night, Messi finished the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 games – and was in top form with seven goals in the last seven games – making both club and MLS history. With his trio of goals and one assist, he became only the fifth player in MLS history to have at least 36 goal contributions in a single season and the first player in league history to score three goals in a game as a substitute contributed an assist. The hat-trick also led to Messi scoring 33 goals for Inter Miami, overtaking Campana (32 goals) as the club's all-time top goalscorer.

The 6-2 score remained unchanged in the final minutes, allowing Inter Miami to take all three points in a historic victory that saw the team set a new league single-season points record with 74 points.

On Saturday, Inter Miami invited their fans to the Fan Appreciation Night presented by Florida Blue at Chase Stadium! The Supporters' Shield trophy was presented to our fans in a special ceremony after the final whistle, recognizing their unwavering commitment to the club. The celebrations included speeches from Managing Owner Jorge Mas, Co-Owner David Beckham and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who made the exciting announcement that Inter Miami will take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ as the host country representative team in an outstanding and consistent 34th -Games season the club secured the title with two MLS games remaining. Inter Miami will also open the tournament as host team and play the opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ in the team's hometown of Miami.

Additionally, the first 10,000 fans to enter the gates of Chase Stadium received a limited-edition bucket hat co-branded with Inter Miami CF and Florida Blue.

“It’s a confidence boost for the team, more self-confidence. As we said, these 74 points were neither something planned nor a goal that we had at the beginning of the season, but when it became within reach we tried to achieve it.” And today we achieved it. And for me it is the pride of being part of this group that I am grateful for, along with my coaching staff and everyone who works and sacrifices with us every day. It is a victory for all of us who make up the Inter Miami family. It’s hard to make this an individual achievement,” said head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino.

Next, Inter Miami will open best-of-3 action in the first round of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs at home at Chase Stadium on Friday, October 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET in a MLS Season exclusive Pass on Apple TV and free. The club will face the winner of the Eastern Conference wild card game between CF Montréal and Atlanta United on Tuesday, October 22nd. A limited number of tickets are available for the game. Get your tickets HERE while stocks last.