Overview

• Messi came off the bench and scored the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute to break a 1-1 tie against LA Galaxy.
• He followed up his strike by delivering a right-footed backheel assist to Luis Suárez in the 89th minute, a clip that has gone viral online.
• The goal marked Messi as the second-fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goals, achieving the milestone in 44 league appearances.
• Head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi “wasn’t 100% comfortable” and confirmed the club will evaluate his fitness on a day-to-day basis.
• Miami’s cautious management of Messi’s minutes comes with a congested schedule and a Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Tigres UANL looming.