Inter Miami CF Clinches 2024 Supporters' Shield

 Inter Miami CF Communications Department

Wednesday, Oct 2, 2024, 07:21 PM

For the first time in its history, Inter Miami CF has claimed the Supporters’ Shield, finishing the 2024 MLS regular season with the best overall record. The team secured this historic achievement with a 2-3 victory over the Columbus Crew, featuring two goals from captain Lionel Messi, one from striker Luis Suárez, and a crucial penalty save by goalkeeper Drake Callender. This triumph not only marks a milestone for the club but also guarantees the top seed in the Eastern Conference, along with home-field advantage throughout the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Winning the Supporters’ Shield also qualifies Inter Miami for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, making it the second consecutive season the team will compete in this tournament, having reached the quarterfinals in 2024. Additionally, Inter Miami has the opportunity to secure a bye to the Round of 16 in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup by winning the 2024 MLS Cup.

For the first time in club history, Inter Miami will host a playoff match, facing the winner of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Wild Card game between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds. The first game of the best-of-3 series will take place at Chase Stadium, with a potential third match hosted by Inter Miami if necessary. The complete schedule for the Round One Best-of-3 Series will be announced with the full Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule.

Since debuting in MLS in 2020, Inter Miami has become only the sixth active club to win the Supporters’ Shield within its first five seasons and the 17th club overall in the league's 29-year history. Following the expansion of the regular season to 34 games in 2011, Miami is just the third team to claim the Supporters’ Shield after missing the playoffs the previous season, joining LAFC (2022) and the San Jose Earthquakes (2012).

Under the guidance of Head Coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, Inter Miami CF has experienced a record-breaking season, achieving historic milestones such as becoming the third-fastest club to secure a playoff berth and leading the league in wins, goals, and points in club history, with matches still remaining.

In his second year at the helm, Martino has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, elevating the team from 27th in the Supporters’ Shield standings in 2023 to first place in 2024. His impressive record stands at 20 wins, 4 losses, and 8 draws, with a +25 goal differential and two regular season matches left to play. The Supporters’ Shield represents Martino’s ninth trophy as a manager in club soccer and his fourth as an MLS head coach.

The team’s success has been fueled by contributions from a diverse roster, including global stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba; local academy talents 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 world like Diego Gómez, Federico Redondo, and Tomás Avilés; experienced veterans with championship credentials like Julian Gressel and Matías Rojas; and stalwart goalkeeper and team leader Drake Callender.

Lionel Messi has been a standout performer, notching 17 goals and a team-high 15 assists in just 17 matches this season. Suárez has also made a significant impact in his inaugural season, leading the team with 18 goals and contributing six assists. The duo has made history as the first pair of teammates in MLS to earn Player of the Matchday honors at least three times each in a single season.

With two regular season matches remaining, Inter Miami is in pursuit of the MLS single-season points record. To break the New England Revolution's record of 73 points from 2021, the team must win both of its final games, concluding with a Decision Day matchup against New England:

• Saturday, October 5 at Toronto FC (4 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)
• Saturday, October 19 vs. New England Revolution (6 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)

Below is the list of all-time Supporters’ Shield winners, sorted in reverse chronological order.