For the first time in its history, Inter Miami CF has secured the Supporters’ Shield. The team clinched the best record during the 2024 MLS regular season with a 2-3 victory over Columbus Crew today, highlighted by a double from captain Lionel Messi, a goal from forward Luis Suárez, and a penalty save by goalkeeper Drake Callender. This landmark achievement earns Inter Miami the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the advantage of playing at home in the 2024 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
As Supporters’ Shield winners, Inter Miami qualifies for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, marking the team’s second consecutive appearance in the competition after reaching the quarterfinals in 2024. They can secure a direct spot in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup by winning the 2024 MLS Cup.
The team will host a postseason match for the first time in its history, facing the winner of the Eastern Conference Wild Card game, consisting of the number 8 and number 9 seeds, in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs 2024. The best-of-three series kicks off on Saturday, October 26. Inter Miami will play at home in the first and, if needed, the third game of the series at Chase Stadium, while the opponent will host the second match. The schedule for the best-of-three first round will be determined once the complete Audi MLS Cup Playoffs 2024 schedule is announced.
Debuting in MLS in 2020, Inter Miami is now only the sixth active club to win the Supporters’ Shield within its first five seasons in the league, and the seventeenth different club to win the trophy in the league’s 29 seasons. Since the regular season expanded to 34 matches in 2011, Miami is only the third team to win the Supporters’ Shield after failing to qualify for the playoffs the previous season, joining LAFC in 2022 and San Jose Earthquakes in 2012.
Head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has led Inter Miami CF through a record-breaking season, achieving historical milestones. Notable accomplishments include being the third-fastest club to secure postseason qualification and dominating the league with the most wins, goals, and points in the club’s history (with matches still to be played).
In his second season, Martino has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, elevating the team from 27th in the Supporters’ Shield standings in 2023 to first in 2024. He has guided Inter Miami to a record of 20 wins, 4 losses, and 8 draws, with a goal difference of +25 and two regular-season matches remaining. The Supporters’ Shield marks the ninth trophy for Martino as a club coach and his fourth in MLS.
The team has benefited from contributions by a diverse group of players, including global stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba; local talents developed at the academy such as Benjamin Cremaschi, David Ruiz, Ian Fray, and Noah Allen; MLS SuperDraft selections Yannick Bright and Leo Afonso; promising young talents from around the globe like Diego Gómez, Federico Redondo, and Tomás Avilés; experienced veterans such as Julian Gressel and Matías Rojas; team leader and steadfast goalkeeper Drake Callender; along with all other squad members.
Notably, Messi has shone during the regular season, posting impressive stats of 17 goals and 15 assists, the highest on the team, in just 17 matches. Suárez has also been pivotal in his first season with the club, leading the team in goals with 18 during the regular season, plus contributing six assists. This duo has produced numerous standout moments in the journey toward securing the Supporters’ Shield, becoming the first teammates in MLS history to be named Player of the Week three times each in a single season.
With two regular-season matches remaining, Inter Miami aims to break the all-time points record in an MLS season. The team needs to win both remaining matches to surpass the 73 points set by the New England Revolution in 2021, culminating in a showdown against New England on Decision Day.
Saturday, October 5, away against Toronto FC (4 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
Saturday, October 19, home against New England Revolution (6 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)