MLS talking points: How Lionel Messi got revenge while Diego Luna got noticed
It was a nightmare for Inter Miami.
Bartosz Slisz had just fired Atlanta United ahead in the decisive match of their first-round playoff series last season. Try as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami might, they couldnât equalize and were forced to watch as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes. Their record-breaking regular season had quickly turned into a different sort of record-breaking postseason: the 34-point gap between Miami and Atlanta at the end of the 34-game schedule made it the largest upset in MLS playoff history.
Inter Miamiâs first full year with Messi had ended in undisputed failure. And for Messi and his longtime Barcelona teammates? Well, failure doesnât tend to sit well. Thatâs why so many had Sunday nightâs clash between Inter Miami and Atlanta United circled in red on the calendar.
Despite a slow start that emphasized some of Miamiâs defensive frailties on an early concession, Messi put his stamp on a 2-1 win later in the first half. Upon seeing none other than Slisz on the ball, the Argentinian sprinted to close down the midfielder (a rare sight for Messi these days) before picking his pocket, and, well, see for yourself:
There was no need for a reminder, but Messi gave Atlanta United one anyway: he doesnât like to lose. Through eight games across all competitions so far in 2025, Inter Miami still havenât lost â and Messi has only just started scoring in league play. Their revenge tour has begun. JL
No masking Lunaâs talent
In Real Salt Lakeâs win over Houston, the mask finally came off.
The mask in question, of course, was Diego Lunaâs â the Real Salt Lake midfielder needed to wear it for the first few games of the season after breaking his nose in the US menâs national teamâs January win over Costa Rica. Despite the injury, the mask carried positive connotations â it was a visual reminder of the impression Luna made on USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino by playing on and notching an assist with a broken nose.
That performance was surely one of the reasons Luna will join the full senior team in Los Angeles this week for the Concacaf Nations League finals. His play on Saturday was representative of another: Luna is one of the best young attacking players in MLS.
With his nose healed enough to make the protective mask unnecessary, Luna showcased why so many believe he could be an important part of the national teamâs evolution. He was irrepressible against the Houston Dynamo, scoring the winner by first scrapping for the ball at the byline and then firing a bullet header into the back of the net from a cross. It was Lunaâs play for the first RSL goal, however, that should have USMNT fans most excited â an indication that he could be the No 10 they have been waiting for.
Trapped out by the touchline, Luna first wriggled through two Houston players. He then continued his run into the half-space and slotted through a line-breaking pass for Emeka Eneli to square to Diogo Gonçalves for the simple finish. It was a moment that highlighted how Luna is flourishing in all areas of his game, having been hyped for years.
Pochettino may resist the temptation to throw Luna into his starting lineup for Thursdayâs Nations League semi-final against Panama, but the 21-year-old could still be a key figure. Under Gregg Berhalter, the USMNT frequently struggled to break down low defensive blocks. Panama could set up to exacerbate this weakness. Luna could be the solution, with or without the mask. GR
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Whitecaps, standing tall
The best team in the United Statesâ top division of menâs soccer might be Canadian. In the current political climate, some may want to whisper this quietly, others may want to shout it out loud, but of the 30 teams in MLS, it is the Vancouver Whitecaps who have made the most impressive start in continental and domestic play.
There is an element of surprise to this given there is uncertainty off the field, as the Whitecaps ownership group is in the process of selling the club, and some disruption on the field as the team have missed key player Ryan Gauld through injury for the past two games. They also have a new head coach, Jesper SĂžrensen, and a series of ups and downs would normally be expected as players get used to new methods and tweaked tactics. The Whitecaps have skipped all that, and have gotten straight to winning.
Vancouver achieved a historic Concacaf Champions Cup victory on away goals against Liga MX giant Monterrey last week, making the Whitecaps one of only three MLS teams to overcome Mexican opposition at that stage. After Saturdayâs 1-0 win over FC Dallas, they stand as the only team in the league with a perfect record.
A run in the Concacaf Champions Cup is supposed to hinder early-season MLS form, but the Whitecapsâ metrics in both attack and defense are among the best in the league. The defensive elements were on show this weekend as SĂžrensenâs team didnât allow FC Dallas to muster a single shot on target through 90 minutes.
The Whitecaps are unbeaten in seven games across the two competitions that have kicked off the new season, while 19 players have seen over 100 minutes of game time already as the Danish coach rotates his squad to great effect.
Thereâs a long season ahead, and a big quarter-final tie against Pumas UNAM to come in the Champions Cup next month, but such an impressive start is worth shouting about. JN
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