Chase Stadium- Lionel Messi is from another galaxy. The Argentine superstar led Inter Miami CF to a 3-1 win over LA with a 1 goal, 1 assist performance off the bench. Coming back from a minor injury that had him miss Miami’s previous match, Messi broke a 1-1 tie with a goal late in the second half and also provided an enchanting assist for Luis Suarez for the final scoreline.
Starting XI
The Herons began the match versus the LA Galaxy with Oscar Ustari in goal; Jordi Alba, Gonzalo Lujan, Maxi Falcon, and Marcelo Weigandt as the back four. Sergio Busquets, Fafa Picault, Tadeo Allende, and Benjamin Cremaschi the midfield quartet. Luis Suarez and Telasco Segovia up top.
Lionel #Messi will start on the bench tonight 🆚 LA Galaxy..Picault, Cremaschi get an opportunity on the Starting XI..Mascherano has a mighty bench with De Paul, Bright , & the GOAT 🐐 #Messi𓃵 #MLS #InterMiamiCF
pic.twitter.com/WOVgEpsHjA— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 16, 2025
Match Action
Despite having Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul on the bench to start the game, Inter Miami took total control of the match in the first half. The game was mostly on LA’s side of the pitch, with Miami creating several scoring chances early on, including a Luis Suarez point-blank shot that clanged off the side post.
Luis Suarez hasn’t had the same “luck” scoring goals this season in comparison to last season.. Yet, he still finds himself in the right spot to create chances..#MLS #InterMiamiCF
pic.twitter.com/cDhM1kRKpg— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 17, 2025
Miami was able to score late in the first half after Sergio Busquets sliced a superb pass through the Galaxy defense to Jordi Alba, who controlled and finished the play with a wonderful strike past the diving LA keeper.
A superb line busting pass from Busquets leads to the Jordi Alba finish & a 1-0 lead from #InterMiamiCF in the 43rd minute..#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 17, 2025
The Herons went into the half with only a 1-0 lead that seemed short considering the number of clear opportunities created.
The Herons dominate the first half but only go in with a 1-0 lead over the LA Galaxy..A goal was disallowed after a VAR intervention & Suarez hit one off the post from point blank..#MLS #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/Obj5eMORmw
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 17, 2025
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul were brought on to start the second half for Inter Miami CF, Telasco Segovia, and Tadeo Allende went off.
Lionel #Messi & Rodrigo De Paul come in to start the 2nd half for #InterMiamiCF #MLS #
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 17, 2025
LA came out surging and tied the game at 1-1 in the 59th minute with a fantastic individual run by Joseph Paintsill. He flew past Weigandt and Lujan, finishing with a low shot that got past Oscar Ustari.
Paintsil, in a fantastic individual run ties the game at 1-1 for LA Galaxy..
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 17, 2025
It took another magical individual effort by Messi to get Inter Miami back on top in the 84th minute. He cut in, ran past two defenders, and then clinically placed a low shot into the Galaxy corner net to ignite the home crowd.
Lionel #Messi Magic! The GOAT 🐐 cuts in, pushes forward and with a precise left footed shot to the corner, puts #InterMiamiCF up 2-1 in the 84th minute…#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 17, 2025
The Goat was not done yet. Five minutes later, Messi’s magic was in full effect when he back-heeled an enchanting pass for Luis Suarez, who finished with a low crossing shot to ice the game. Suarez had not scored a goal in the run-of-play for Miami in the previous 12 matches; his goal sentenced the match 3-1.
Lionel #Messi serves Luis Suarez inside the box, & the Gunslinger puts it to rest in the Galaxy net for the 3-1 lead that essentially ices the game for #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 17, 2025
Postgame
During the week of practice leading up to the LA Galaxy match, Benjamin Cremaschi made comments that some construed as criticism towards Javier Mascherano. Cremaschi mentioned how he often doesn’t know what position he will play and how this affects his preparation,
I go to the game and I have no idea where I’m going to play. It’s impossible to prepare myself for the position I’m going to play. I think I’m going to play one position and I end up playing somewhere else.
To give this quote proper context, Cremaschi is talking about situations where he comes on as a substitute. He has covered multiple positions on the pitch for various reasons, including injury, fatigue, or tactical adjustments. Miami Coach Javier Mascherano talked about this after the LA Galaxy match when he was asked about it by a local reporter,
I heard his declarations and I think they have been unfortunate..When he plays as a starter, he clearly knows what position he will play because we prepare for the matches. It’s not like I flip a coin and wake up in the morning and just say we are going to play like this or that
Cremaschi is a young player who is genuinely frustrated with how he is being used and the amount of minutes he is playing. This tells me he cares and wants to contribute to the team’s success, but he could have done it in a better way. Benja could have gone into Mach’s office and talked to him one-on-one. I appreciate the public statement because it gives us material to write about, but this created an unnecessary distraction. I’m sure Benjamin will be better at communicating his concerns with the team moving forward by keeping things like this behind closed doors.
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi is from a galaxy, far, far away. He is not from this planet; it’s impossible to do all that he does at age 38. The Heron’s fans have been blessed to be able to enjoy the GOAT in person. Once he quits futbol, I don’t know if anyone will ever accomplish anything near what he has done in his glorious career. Hopefully, he has not suffered any setbacks injury-wise and is available for Wednesday’s Leagues Cup match versus Tigres.
Luis Suarez is not having as gracious of an end to his prolific career. Suarez is still way ahead mentally of most players with his high futbol IQ, but physically, his decline is very evident. He lumbers around the pitch, especially when he needs to make long sprints. Suarez has been able to continue to make a difference with Miami despite all his shortcomings. He has been really good holding up the ball up top as a pivot, making runs that clear space for teammates, and has been wonderful providing assists.
Baltasar Rodriguez showed slight flashes of his talent Saturday night against LA. The young Argentine should continue to develop and become an important player for Miami as he continues to gain playing time.
The Herons are, in my estimation, still in need of a center back that is tall, fast, and skilled. I know that’s not an easy find, but it has been almost impossible for Inter Miami to find one in its brief existence.
A quality striker is also needed ASAP. Suarez needs to get some rest at some point in the season, and if he goes down with an injury, who’s the unquestioned replacement?
Now the focus is on Tigres for a Leagues Cup Quarterfinals match this Wednesday night. Let’s hope Messi is good to go.
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