Lionel Messi scored once and created another goal as Inter Miami claimed their first win at Nu Stadium with a 2-0 victory over Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer on Sunday. The result lifted Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Nashville SC, who still hold two games in hand.
Messi drove Miami forward from the opening whistle. The 38-year-old dropped deep to collect possession, linked quickly with Luis Suarez and repeatedly dragged Portland’s back line out of shape.
Miami opened the scoring in the 30th minute through a sharp passing move. Messi started the attack before Suarez slipped Telasco Segovia through the middle. Segovia returned the ball with a backheel and Messi finished low into the far corner from close range.
Miami doubled the lead 10 minutes later after Rodrigo De Paul burst down the right flank. Messi exchanged passes with Suarez, skipped through four defenders and squared with the outside of his left foot for German Berterame to tap home.
Portland struggled to contain Miami’s movement between the lines in the first half. Messi drifted inside from the right and constantly found space behind the midfield. Suarez also pulled defenders away from central areas, which opened lanes for Segovia and De Paul.
Messi nearly added a third after the break when he curled a left-foot effort inches wide from outside the area. James Pantemis then denied him in stoppage time with a full-stretch save from a free-kick heading towards the top corner.
The win arrived at the fifth attempt for Miami at their new 27,000-capacity Nu Stadium. The ground had already seen three draws and a 4-3 defeat to Orlando City after Miami threw away a three-goal lead.
The match also offered another reminder of Messi’s sharpness before the 2026 World Cup, which starts on 11 June across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Messi is set to appear at a sixth World Cup, a feat only Cristiano Ronaldo can also match if selected.
