With Argentine star Lionel Messi absent from the South American qualifiers, Inter Miami closed the gap on the MLS playoff spots to six points with a 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.
Messi is one of eight Inter Miami players missing for their respective countries, but that didn’t stop Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side showing their quality to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games.
With this result, Inter Miami reaches 28 points in the Eastern Conference, 6 points away from the ninth-ranked D.C. United, and needs to play a play-off with the eighth-ranked D.C. United in search of this season’s playoffs. seats.
The Miami Herons began to lose the ball in the ninth minute when Daniel Sallói scored off a rebound from goalkeeper Drake Callender.
However, Miami equalized in the 25th minute via a penalty kick from Ecuadorian Leonardo Campana.
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Unlike Messi, Campana was not called up for the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, but he converted with a kick following DeAndre Yedlin’s cross on the stroke of half-time. A beautiful header gave Inter Miami a 2-1 lead. -time..
The third goal was scored by Argentinian Facundo Farias in the 60th after a clearance from Spaniard Sergio Busquets.
But with 12 minutes left in the game, Mexican Alan Pulido scored for Kansas City 3-2.
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– Saturday’s MLS results:
Washington United – San Jose Earthquakes 0-0
Inter Miami CF – Sporting Kansas City 3-2
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Minnesota FC – New England Revolution 1-1
Portland Timbers – Los Angeles FC 2-0
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