COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) – Lionel Messi scored twice and Germán Bertelame scored for the second straight game, and Inter Miami defeated Colorado Rapids 3-2 on Saturday, extending its undefeated streak to seven games and earning its first win under interim coach Guillermo Hoyos.
Hoyos, who was the club’s sporting director, took over coaching duties after Javier Mascherano unexpectedly left the club for personal reasons. Mascherano led Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup title in his only full season with the club.
Messi took the lead with a penalty in the 13th minute and scored the winning goal in the 79th minute. After Colorado had a turnover near midfield, Messi cut back near the right corner of the penalty box and fired a flick shot. rising shot It ripped through two defenders and slid inside the back post.
Messi has scored seven goals this season, tying him with Sam Surridge and Petar Moussa for the most goals in MLS.
Miami (4-1-3) hasn’t lost since the start of the season. 3-0 Lost to Los Angeles FC.
Yannick Bright was shown the red-hot machine in the 87th minute, and Miami played as the man for the rest of the match.
The Rapids (4-4-0) are on a winning streak, winning three of their last four games.
Bright converted a penalty awarded by Josh Atencio, and Messi converted the penalty to take the lead.
Matteo Silvetti along the right end line hit an arcing cross to the back post, and Belterrame headed home to make it 2-0 in the 5th minute of first-half stoppage time.
Bertalame made his first career start and scored his first MLS goal in the last game. 2-2 Along with the New York Red Bulls.
Rafael Navarro scored a goal for the Rapids in the 58th minute. The 26-year-old forward scored two goals in one game. 6-2 They won their last game against Houston and have scored six goals this season.
Darren Yapi came on as a substitute for Hamzat Ojediran and immediately scored on a counter-attack in the 62nd minute to make it 2-2.
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