🔬 The Debrief after Messi and Inter Miami make MLS history

The Supporters Shield was decided on Wednesday night, and 13 more games were scheduled across the United States and Canada.

Here is what went down throughout MLS.

What happened

This recap naturally starts with the blockbuster clash of the night: Inter Miami travelled to Columbus to secure the MLS Supporters Shield. And boy, did this game deliver a thriller.

Two goals from Lionel Messi (including a trademark free-kick) plus some true striker qualities from Luis Suárez were enough to down the 10-man Crew in their own backyard 3-2.

One Cucho Hernandez will definitely be wishing for a chance to retake that potential game-tying penalty.

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Looking elsewhere, it was goals galore. Charlotte edged Chicago in a seven-goal thriller, while New York City FC and Cincinnati played out a five-goal thriller of their own.

Orlando City pipped Philadelphia 2-1 thanks to a second-half flurry, Josef Martínez returned to haunt Atlanta United 2-1, and NYRB hammered Toronto in a 4-1 win on the road.

The later kickoffs delivered yet another seven-goal thriller as D.C. United netted twice in stoppage time to beat Nashville away.

Houston Dynamo saw off New England 2-1, Riqui Puig inspired LA Galaxy’s 3-1 comeback over Colorado, and things ended 0-0 between Real Salt Lake and Minnesota.

Then four games wrapped up the action over in the Western Conference. Austin kept their playoffs hopes alive with an impressive 1-0 away win at Portland while Seattle Sounders thumped three past 10-man Vancouver on the road to move third.

LAFC star Denis Bouanga stayed in contention for the MLS Golden Boot after lifting his side past St. Louis 1-0 and bottom-side Sane Jose might have pulled off the night’s shock with a 3-2 win over FC Dallas.

Stats of the night

Career trophy number 46 for the little boy from Rosario.

A sweet comeback inspired by Puig illuminates a new-look Galaxy that eclipsed 60 points again for the first time in a decade.

Meanwhile, in another stadium, things weren’t so positive.

Federico Bernardeschi’s second-half red card was his fourth with the club, overtaking Jozy Altidore for the most with Toronto FC. And the rumour mill suggests he could be leaving soon, too.

Player of the night

Oct 2, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; D.C. United midfielder Gabriel Pirani (10) scores a goal in the second half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Kindell Buchanan-Imagn Images.

This very well could have been the World Cup winner, but let’s put some respect on Gabriel Pirani’s performance.

Entering the game after 67 minutes, the 22-year-old netted in the 94th and 97th minute using his left and right foot to lift the visitors above Nashville and keep their playoff dreams alive. Talk about earning that No. 10 shirt!

What this means

Well, first off, Miami are officially the best of the bunch.

A little further down the table in the East, Charlotte officially clinched a playoff spot while D.C. United and Montreal kept their playoff hopes alive. Toronto FC sit on the brink of an exit with Messi and company as their next opponent.

Over in the west, Portland missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth at home thanks to Austin. Minnesota, however, secured their spot after FC Dallas succumbed to the Earthquakes.

What comes next?

MLS action returns on Saturday with the new Supporters Shield winners facing off in Toronto before another 11 games occur across the United States.

Feature image credit: © Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.