"Star attraction: One hates to sound repetitive, but Lionel Messi will continue to be the star attraction for as long as he's in MLS. He continues to prove his worth with every passing game, scoring one goal and three assists against FC Cincinnati to stand as the most important player for Miami on the pitch. He's contributed to 76% of Inter Miami's goals in the past seven games. In other words, Messi has either scored or assisted on 19 of the team's past 25 goals."
"The 38-year-old recently set up Mateo Silvetti and Tadeo Allende on multiple occasions, using his capacity of reading the field to coax the best out of his teammates. X-factor: Internal sirens went off when Luis Suárez received a one-game suspension for the decisive final game of the Round 1 series against Nashville SC. Head coach Javier Mascherano opted to include Silvetti in the lineup to cover, trusting the 19-year-old Argentina youth international who only boasted five appearances since arriving in August."
MLS is down to four teams: Inter Miami, New York City FC, San Diego FC and Vancouver, setting conference finals of Miami vs. NYCFC and San Diego vs. Vancouver. Lionel Messi has been central to Miami's surge, contributing to 76% of Inter Miami's goals in the past seven games and accounting for 19 of the team's last 25 goal involvements. Messi has also created chances and improved teammates' final-third play. Javier Mascherano trusted 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti after Luis Suárez's suspension; that gamble produced a goal. New York City FC upset an opponent, Vancouver won a star-studded shootout, and San Diego sustained a strong inaugural season.
Read at ESPN.com
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