Lionel Messi goals help Inter Miami clinch Supporters' Shield ESPN

Inter Miami has clinched the 2024 Supporters' Shield with a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew on Wednesday night at Lower.com Field in Ohio.

Lionel Messi scored twice and Luis Suárez added a goal as Miami held on after the Crew's Rudy Camacho was sent off in the 63rd minute. Miami keeper Drake Callender saved a penalty kick from Cucho Hernández shortly before full-time to seal the three points for his team.

The Herons secured the trophy with 68 points in 32 games, winning their first piece of Major League Soccer silverware since debuting in 2020 as an expansion franchise.

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Inter Miami claimed the inaugural 2023 Leagues Cup trophy -- which goes to the champion of the annual competition between MLS and Liga MX -- but had not previously been successful in MLS.

The team experienced a meteoric rise in 2024 due to the contributions of Messi and Suárez in their first full seasons in Florida. Together, the forwards have accounted for 35 of the team's 72 goals scored in 31 matches.

Despite Messi's absences due to injury and international duty, the Argentine captain leads Inter Miami in assists and goal contributions in just 16 games played.

The 2024 Supporters' Shield becomes Messi's second trophy with the club and 46th career title.

His long list of achievements includes 10 LaLiga trophies, four Champions League triumphs, two Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Supporters' Shield stands as one of two major trophies in MLS alongside the MLS Cup and is given to the team with the best overall record in the regular season to reward consistency through the 34-game campaign.

Sixteen different MLS teams have earned the Supporters' Shield, with the LA Galaxy and D.C. United leading the way with four titles each.

By winning the Shield, Inter Miami has secured home-field advantage throughout the MLS playoffs.

Inter Miami also remains on course to beat the league's mark for most points recorded during the regular season. The New England Revolution hold the record after racking up 73 points during the 2021 season, but Inter Miami could surpass that total with two fixtures left.

Should Miami defeat Toronto FC on Saturday and the Revolution on Oct. 19, the Herons would reach 74 points and set the new standard.