Overview
- Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 3-1 at Chase Stadium, with Lionel Messi scoring a 19th-minute diving header and a stoppage-time second.
- Tadeo Allende made it 2-0 with a 62nd-minute header from Ian Fray’s cross before Hany Mukhtar netted a late free kick for Nashville.
- After precautionary rest for back discomfort earlier in the week, coach Javier Mascherano said Messi was fully fit, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber presented him the Golden Boot pregame following a 29-goal season and new deal through 2028.
- Miami leads the best-of-three series 1-0, with Game 2 on Nov. 1 at GEODIS Park and a potential Game 3 on Nov. 8 in Fort Lauderdale.
- Out West, expansion club San Diego FC will host its first MLS playoff match on Oct. 26 against the Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium.