New York (AP) – Lionel Messi had two goals and assisted to reach a 37-goal contribution. This season and Intermiami won the playoff spot in a 4-0 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday night.
Myam (16-6-7), who won his third straight game, has extended his league-leading goal total to 64 this season. Five of Miami’s final six MLS matches have won at least three goals, and most recently earned 3-2 wins at DC United.
After an assist in the first half, Messi became the first player in MLS history to contribute at least 35 goals in consecutive seasons. After two late goals, Messi became the fourth player in MLS history, scoring eight multi-goal games in one season.
Messi made it 2-0 in the 74th minute when he lacked it on top of Matt Freeze, who came out of his area on the breakaway.
Luis Suarez, who left the pause, changed the penalty kick in the 83rd inning, and Messi added another goal three minutes later.
Óscar Ustari recorded the sixth clean sheet of the season.
New York City (16-10-5) ended their three-game winning streak.
New York City had two good scoring opportunities in the first half. Thiago Martins left him alone in the far post of a corner kick, but his header quickly went in Ustali. Nicholas Fernandez cut down the defender in the box and jumped into Ustali the wrong way, but his shot grew out of the post.
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