After a comeback win, there is a new holder of the MLS record for most points in a season Below Miami after beating the New England Revolution 6-2.
The Herons were 2-0 down early on, but thanks to Luis Suarez they were able to level the score against the Revolution at half-time. When Benjamin Cremashchi scored the go-ahead goal in the 59th minute of play, Miami did not give up.
It was a poetic victory, as the Herons managed to persevere and defeat the current holders of the MLS single-season points record, raising the bar to 74 points. After adding Lionel Messi Inter Miami were added to the squad midway through last season and have reached new heights by adding Suarez and winning trophies along the way.
To ensure the match was out of reach, Messi added a hat-trick from the bench in the second half, taking him to 19 goals this season, two behind Suarez and the team leader with 20.
The Herons have won the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield since Messi joined, but their focus will be on winning another trophy. When new England set the points record that caused them to be eliminated New York City F.C in their first playoff game and that’s something Tata Martino wants the Herons to avoid.
They learned to win without Messi when he was injured, and this has become a truly complete Miami team, so they will now have to make sure they don’t follow the same fate as the Revolution.
It’s going to be a time to step up, but with or without Messi, that’s what Miami has done all season and will continue to do with the Eastern Confrence’s No. 1.