Lionel Messi scored his third consecutive brace in the MLS regular season to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC in Matchday 24.
It was a day in which Hirving “Chucky” Lozano shone with two assists in San Diego FC’s win, and Columbus Crew came from behind to win the Ohio derby against FC Cincinnati.
Messi unstoppable: five straight MLS braces
Messi has scored more free kicks (35) than penalties (33) since 2018 😮🎯 @MLS pic.twitter.com/p9uuHPR7up
– 433 (@433) July 13, 2025
After being knocked out in the round of 16 at the Club World Cup, Messi has returned to MLS in lethal mode.
The Argentine star scored twice at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium and now has five consecutive games with at least two goals in each, giving him 11 goals in that span.
His streak ties him with Josef Martinez’s record in 2018.
The first goal came from a low free kick at the near post, while the second came after a mistake by goalkeeper Joe Willis.
With this victory, Inter Miami, coached by Javier Mascherano, has now won five consecutive games and is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 38 points, although with three games behind the leader.
Philadelphia Union takes top spot in the East
The Union moved to the top of the Eastern Conference with 43 points after beating the New York Red Bulls 2-0.
First-half goals by Indiana Vassilev and Bruno Damiani secured the result at home.
Cincinnati, which had won four straight games, fell to the Columbus Crew 4-2, despite leading 2-0.
Uruguay’s Diego Rossi played a key role, scoring a goal for the Crew.
San Diego and Chucky dominate the West
Chucky Lozano links up with Anders Dreyer 🫡
Connection locked in 🔗
🎥 : @mls
– Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) July 13, 2025
In the Western Conference, the sensation team is San Diego FC, which in its debut season already leads with 42 points.
In their visit to the Chicago Fire, the Californian team won 2-1 with a brace from Denmark’s Anders Dreyer, both assists courtesy of Mexico’s Hirving Lozano.
Chucky showed his quality with a back-heel in the eighth minute and an impeccable low cross on the verge of half-time.
San Diego holds a two-point lead over Minnesota United, which defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1.
LA splits: Galaxy and LAFC win
The LA Galaxy earned their third win of the year with a 2-1 victory over DC United.
Germany’s Marco Reus and Uruguay’s Diego Fagundez scored the winning goals.
Meanwhile, LAFC beat FC Dallas 2-0 with goals from Honduras’ Nathan Ordaz and Gabon’s Denis Bouanga.
The team remains in the fight for the top positions in the West.
Other outstanding results
Buzzy
In Charlotte, Spain’s Pep Biel reached a club-record 17 goal appearances on the season with his assist in a 1-1 draw against NYCFC.
In Orlando, Martin Ojeda scored his 20th goal for Orlando City, but Montreal equalized thanks to a Prince Owusu penalty kick in the 81st minute.
Atlanta United salvaged a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC with a penalty kick from Emmanuel Latte Lath in the 101st minute.
Finally, at the end of the day, St. Louis City came from behind to beat Portland Timbers 2-1 with a brace from Germany’s Marcel Hartel.
Despite the win, the team remains second to last in the West with 18 points.
Messi scored twice at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and now has five consecutive matches with at least two goals in each
