Lionel Messi scores his first goal in five matches as Miami ends a three-game winning streak in all competitions.
Lionel Messi fell into targets as Intermiami bounced off the exit of the Konkakaff Champions Cup and defeated the New York Red Bulls 4-1 at Florida’s Chase Stadium.
Miami lost their final three games, including a 5-1 total loss to Vancouver’s White Cap in the Champions Cup semi-finals, but received much needed morale boost in Saturday’s comfortable Major League Soccer (MLS) home victory.
Fafa Picoe scored in the ninth minute, and after Luis Suarez flicked with a cross from Marcelo Weigant, he then hit the ball hard into the back of the net.
Fullback Weigant doubled Miami’s advantage in the 30 minutes when the diving header was stopped by Carlos Colonel, and the Argentines scooped up the ball’s house.
The goal was initially flagged offside, but after a VAR review, the judge ruled that it should stand.
Suarez made it 3-0 minutes later, and after the first shot was blocked, he went home on a second attempt, but Red Bull pulled back the goal before the break.
The deep Omar Valencia corner at the back post was looped into a far corner with Oscar Ustali, giving visitors hope for the second half.
However, Miami stayed on the top, and Messi expanded his advantage in the 67th minute, playing 1-2 against Terrasco Segovia, holding Noah Ayre down before beating Coronel with a left-footed finish.
The goal ended the four-game run without Messi not on the scoresheet, and the victory moved Miami to fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Elsewhere, former St. Etienne midfielder Dylan Chanbost opened an account in MLS with his first goal in Columbus Crew’s 4-2 victory over Charlotte.
The crew led the East with 24 points ahead of the Philadelphia Union two, winning 2-1 at Montreal, with Danish striker Mikael Uhre taking the 84th minute winner.
DC United defeated Colorado Rapids 2-1 with a goal from Christian Benteke and a volley from Japanese midfielder Josey Kijima.
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