Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-2 win against Columbus Crew to help the club to win the MLS Supporters' Shield for the first time.
The Argentina playmaker opened the scoring with a close-range finish and doubled the away side's lead in first-half stoppage time with a sublime free-kick.
Crew winger Diego Rossi halved the deficit in Ohio before former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez restored Inter Miami's two-goal lead and they held on after Cucho Hernandez's penalty.
Miami's victory means the club will finish top of the table and have won the Supporters' Shield - which is given to the MLS club with the best regular season record - for the first time since they debuted in 2020.
The trophy is Messi's 46th piece of silverware in his glittering career for club and country.
By finishing top of the standings, Miami have secured home advantage during the post-season play-offs.
"The first objective has been achieved and now we have to think about what's next," said Messi.
"The first round is three games but then it's one game and anything can happen. But we have the great advantage of playing all the games at home, which is what we were looking for. We are very strong at home."
Miami need two wins from their final two league matches to beat the MLS record for most points in a regular season, which currently stands as the 73 amassed by the New England Revolution in 2021.
Latest Stories
-
My commitment to business development has been consistent – Bawumia
1 min -
Bawumia thanks Ghanaians, Bondholders, others for supporting government’s debt restructuring efforts
5 mins -
Mahama has the worst economic performance of all Presidents in the fourth Republic – Bawumia
5 mins -
NPP is the only party capable of transforming Ghana – Ashanti Regional Minister
24 mins -
We will decentralise school feeding grants to bolster free SHS – Prof. Alabi
28 mins -
Rebecca Akufo-Addo calls on Abokobi, Amasaman electorates to vote for NPP
29 mins -
Your recruitment of Constituency Collation Officers is illegal – Omane Boamah to EC
30 mins -
Mahama says NPP lacks fresh ideas, urges Ghanaians to seek change
31 mins -
Children of cocoa farmers to enjoy scholarships at tertiary level – Dr Bawumia
1 hour -
Do our Parliamentarians in Ghana truly care about us?
2 hours -
Government rejects my pleas to restore my defunct firms – Papa Kwesi Nduom
2 hours -
Kufuor to Bagbin: Show leadership; current parliamentary stand-off is embarrassing
2 hours -
We’re looking forward for a resounding victory in December – Volta NDC Chair
5 hours -
Break the Duopoly: Rayan Nasir urges Ghanaians to choose Alan’s unity gov’t
6 hours -
Vote for my husband; he’ll be a great President” – Alan’s wife appeals to Ghanaians
6 hours