Messi’s multi-goal streak ends in Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati

CINCINNATI AP Lionel Messi s MLS-record streak of scoring multiple goals in five straight matches ended on Wednesday night in Inter Miami s - loss to FC Cincinnati Cincinnati got a first-half goal from Gerardo Valenzuela and two second-half strikes from Evander to remain one point behind the Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference standings Philadelphia beat CF Montreal - on Wednesday night The loss ended a five-match winning streak for Inter Miami - - which is fifth in the Eastern Conference standings Messi is the first athlete in MLS history to have a multi-goal streak of more than four matches He was tied for the league lead with goals in MLS matches Messi has only played in three matches against Cincinnati since coming to MLS but the gang has made things intricate for the eight-time Ballon d Or winner Cincinnati had four shots on target in the first minutes to none for Inter Miami and took a - lead when Valenzuela angled a shot from the left side of the box for his fifth goal of the season Messi s first shot came in the final minute of first-half stoppage time and landed comfortably in the arms of keeper Roman Celentano Evander s th goal of the season and th in MLS put Cincinnati ahead - less than five minutes into the second half Cincinnati - - also had a two-goal lead on Saturday against Columbus but lost - to the Crew Cincinnati held on this time by neutralizing Inter Miami s attack led by Messi Evander sealed the domination when he made it - with a goal off a rebound when Luca Orellano s shot caromed off the keeper Messi had a chance in the th minute but his close-range shot was saved by a diving Celentano The -year-old Messi has played -plus minutes in eight straight games including four Club World Cup matches At one point in the second half he had covered the least amount of distance of any athlete Cincinnati played without second-leading scorer Kevin Denkey due to a leg injury Up next Cincinnati visits Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami is at the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night