SOCCER: Inter Miami blank Portland to score first win in new stadium

Inter Miami secured its first victory at Nu Stadium with a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Sunday, powered by another standout performance from Lionel Messi.

Messi scored his 12th goal of the season and added his sixth assist, continuing his strong form for Miami. German Berterame also found the net for the Herons, who had previously gone winless in their first four matches at their new home venue, which officially opened in early April.

Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made four saves as Miami recorded its third clean sheet of the campaign and its first since a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on April 22.

Portland struggled again away from home, suffering its fourth 2-0 road defeat of the season and third in its last five away matches. Miami finished with a 22-16 advantage in total shots and a 9-4 edge in shots on target.

Messi now sits tied with Dallas forward Petar Musa and one goal behind Chicago’s Hugo Cuypers in the MLS scoring race. The 38-year-old Argentine has contributed five goals and all six of his assists over his last four appearances as he prepares for what is expected to be his final World Cup later this year.

Miami nearly opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Messi forced Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis into a close-range save. He eventually broke through in the 31st minute after starting the move outside the penalty area.

Messi passed to Luis Suarez on the left before making a run into the box. Suarez then linked up with Telasco Segovia, whose clever backheel pass found Messi for a simple finish into the right side of the goal.

Messi delivered another moment of brilliance 11 minutes later to help Miami double its lead. Rodrigo de Paul sent an early cross to Messi, who controlled the ball with his chest before combining with Suarez.

The Argentine star then dribbled past four defenders inside the penalty area before setting up Berterame for a first-time finish from close range to seal the victory. -Field Level Media/Reuters