Inter Miami take control in MLS Eastern Conference as rivals slip up

Inter Miami picked up a sixth win in seven Games on Saturday, easing past Chicago Fire to strengthen their Supporters’ Shield position. The Herons now boast a Healthy lead over Eastern Conference rivals FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, both of whom lost.

Miami are without Lionel Messi due to injury but were able to welcome back Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez to the starting XI. Wearing their new MLS Archive Collection jersey, Miami dominated the ball at Chase Stadium but needed a coolly-taken winner from Jordi Alba to clinch the three points.

For much of his first year at the club, Lionel Messi’s availability appeared to be the clear defining factor for Inter Miami. With him they usually won, without him they usually lost. It was as simple as that.

However Messi’s time away with the Argentina national team, and subsequent injury absence, looks to have inspired greater performances from his less heralded teaMMAtes. Robert Taylor and Matias Rojas combined brilliantly for Miami’s opening goal on Saturday and Julian Gressel continued his recent good form.

With this latest win Inter Miami strengthen their grip on the Supporters’ Shield and reiterate their MLS Cup credentials. They were also helped by two defeats for their closest rivals, Cincinnati and Columbus.

Cincinnati blown away by dominant Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls ended a run of four consecutive draws with an impressive victory over the Supporters’ Shield champions on Saturday evening. A brace from Lewis Morgan and a long-range effort from full-back Kyle Duncan helped NYRB to the three points in a typically high-intensity showing.

The Red Bulls only managed 34% possession on home turf but they were much more dangerous with it, recording 19 shots to Cincinnati’s four. They took a three-goal lead with Duncan’s strike and never looking like letting that slip, despite a late rally from Cincy.

For the first time since Pat Noonan took over as head coach, Cincinnati have now lost three consecutive Games. The 43-year-old joined the team ahead of the 2022 season and led the team to the Supporters’ Shield in 2023, picking up MLS Coach of the Year in the process. All-Star Team captain Luciano Acosta was rested from the start against the Red Bulls and the team clearly missed his inventive streak, leaving Noonan with decisions to make as we head into the Leagues Cup pause.

Stian Gregersen double downs Columbus

There are few things as effective as a perfectly-placed corner kick and a well-timed header. In fact, that formula proved so successful that Atlanta United did it twice in the 2-1 win over MLS Cup holders Columbus Crew.

Diego Rossi gave Columbus the lead, before Stian Gregersen met a Saba Lobzhanidze’s in-swinging corner on the hourmark. That put the two sides level but Atlanta pushed for a second and soon found it in the same pace as their first.

Just 15 minutes after the equaliser Lobzhanidze curled in a corner from the left and again found Gregersen, who connected with thumping header. The 29-year-old joined from Girondins Bordeaux at the start of the year and failed to score in any of his first 16 appearance. Now he has two crucial goals in a turn-around victory against the reigning champions.

Incredibly, Atlanta are still without a permanent head coach after sacking Gonzalo Pineda last month. In his place former assistant coach Rob Valentino has taken on the mantle and has now masterminded his first big victory against an MLS rival. It may not be enough to land him the job in the long-term but it certainly seems to have had some impact already.