Lionel Messi continued to rewrite the record books on Sunday night as he recorded a goal and three assists to lead Inter Miami to a 4–0 win over FC Cincinnati and the Eastern Conference final for the first time in club history.
The No. 3-seed Herons comfortably controlled the match against the No. 2-seed FC Cincinnati as Messi drove the play on all three goals, scoring the first in the 19th minute before setting up Mateo Silvetti and a brace from Tadeo Allende in the second half to see out the game.
With his four goal contributions, Messi broke the record for most goal contributions in a single MLS Cup playoffs campaign, raising his total to six goals and six assists through the Herons’ three-game series against Nashville SC and Sunday’s single-elimination win against Cincinnati.
Miami have advanced to the final four of MLS and will now either visit the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union or host New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final, with a chance to qualify for MLS Cup against one of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Diego FC or Minnesota United.
