Lionel Messi's Major League Soccer-Record series Multi-goal matches ended on Wednesday at five o'clock when his Inter Miami team was empty 3-0 in FC Cincinnati.
The 38-year-old Argentinian star Forward had scored a brace, two goals, in five consecutive games for Miami, giving him 16 goals in the season, because Inter achieved four victories and a draw in the run.
Since 2012, when he played for Barcelona, Messi had a brace or more scored in five consecutive games.
But Cincinnati kept Miami to only two shots on goal in the game.
“It is clear that today we were surpassed from the start of the game,” said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano through a translator.
“It was very difficult for us to win the individual duels. Perhaps one of the reasons is that we come physically with a very large bustle, and in the long term we will eventually pay.
“Leo suffered at the end, but it ended well.”
The American 20-year-old midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela opened the score for Cincinnati in the 16th minute.
The Brazilian striker Evander followed with a goal in the 50th minute and hit again in the 70th to offer all the scores that the required hosts score.
“We didn't play the game we wanted. They put pressure on all the time, we were not fresh or clear and they beat us very well,” said Mascherano.
Miami fell to 11-4 with five drawn for 38 points, fifth in the Eastern Conference and eight points drifting first place Philadelphia, the general MLS leader, who defeated Montreal to stay ahead of Cincinnati in the general MLS classification.
Inter Miami has three games in hand at both clubs, but should all win them to make up for their rivals for the general competition food.
“The opponent has surpassed us from start to finish,” said Mascherano. “The result and the way they beat us is clear to us. Now we have to rest and think about the next game.”
That comes on Saturday when Miami visits the New York Red Bulls, each of whom received two goals from Cameroon's Eric Choupo moting and Sweden's Emil Forsberg in a 5-3 home victory on New England on Wednesday.