Inter Miami coasted to a 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders on Wednesday in the MLS encounter between the sides at the Chase Stadium in Florida.
Jordi Alba put Miami ahead before Messi doubled his side’s advantage.
Ian Fray added a third for the Herons, while Obed Vargas grabbed a consolation for the Sounders.
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The Argentine World Cup winner assisted Alba for the opening goal in the 12th minute and scored in the 41st, giving Miami a 2-0 halftime lead in the grudge match.
American Ian Fray added another goal for Miami in the 52nd minute, making it 3-0 before Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas pulled one back for Seattle in the 69th.
The Sounders had defeated Miami 3-0 on August 31 in Seattle in a Leagues Cup final that ended with a benches-clearing brawl and Inter striker Luis Suarez spitting on a Sounders staff member.
“It was important, beyond having good feelings, to achieve victory against a great rival that took away the possibility of winning a competition a couple of weeks ago,” said Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“We understood it in the best way. We played the game we had to play.”
Suarez, who apologized two weeks ago, was banned from the 2026 Leagues Cup and issued a three-match ban by MLS for his actions. The Uruguayan served his second match of the suspension in the home rematch with Seattle.
Inter Miami had dropped to eighth place in the Eastern Conference after a 3-0 loss at Charlotte on Saturday, but by beating Seattle, they improved to 14-6 with seven draws for 49 points, jumping to fifth in the East and only eight points behind leaders Philadelphia with three matches in hand.
“We have seven finals left and our goal is to win all seven to finish first in the conference,” Mascherano said.
“It raises expectations for us, encourages us to be competitive, always stay alert, and not relax.”
The Sounders fell to 12-8 with nine draws, totaling 45 points and standing fourth in the Western Conference, just one point ahead of Los Angeles FC.
