11/23/25 07:28:00
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11/23 19:27 CST Messi's goal, 3 assists power Inter Miami past FC Cincinnati
4-0, into Eastern Conference final
Messi's goal, 3 assists power Inter Miami past FC Cincinnati 4-0, into Eastern
Conference final
By JEFF WALLNER
Associated Press
CINCINNATI (AP) --- Lionel Messi had a goal and three assists and Tadeo Allende
scored twice as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0 Sunday to advance to its
first Eastern Conference final.
Miami will take on the winner of Sunday's other conference semifinal between
the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.
Messi set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals, six
assists).
Cincinnati had the second-best overall record in MLS behind Philadelphia after
winning the Supporters Shield last season. Cincinnati lost to the Columbus Crew
in last year's conference finals.
"Tough night to end this way," FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. "Credit to
Miami. They were better tonight. To the fans, sorry how it ended. It's
disappointing. You have to own it."
Messi had been scoreless in three matches against Cincinnati, but that streak
ended in the 19th minute Sunday when he headed a short cross from Mateo
Silvetti, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. Messi, a World Cup champion with Argentina
and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, had his 11th goal in the last seven games.
Nine minutes after scoring, Messi found himself alone with the keeper, but his
shot toward the far post sailed wide.
Cincinnati's best scoring chance came in the first half when Ender Echenique
sent a header across the box to Evander, who shot over the bar.
Miami had seven shots on goal to Cincinnati's four.
"We looked confident in front of goal," Noonan said. "We turned the ball over
too much in dangerous areas. We gave too much time to Messi. We didn't protect
that space."
Miami made it a two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half when Silvetti
beat Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano with a shot from the left side of the
box.
Silvetti replaced Luis Suarez, who was suspended from Miami's previous playoff
match against Nashville due to violent conduct. Head coach Javier Mascherano
decided to keep him out of the lineup on Sunday.
In the 62nd minute, Messi threaded a pass through the defense to Allende, who
made it 3-0. Allende scored again in the 74th minute.
Cincinnati beat Miami 3-0 at home on July 16, and played to a scoreless draw at
Fort Lauderdale on July 26. Messi was in the lineup for the first meeting, but
not the second.
"We're playing to win trophies," Noonan said. "We'll continue to push to make
that a reality."
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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