Inter Miami are building momentum at the right time. A dominant 4-0 win over DC United at Nu Stadium, reported by GOAL, showed the club at their fluid, clinical best, with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi combining to dismantle the visitors and push Miami to second place in the Eastern Conference with 49 points from 28 games. Nashville SC lead the East on 63 points, but the playoff picture is sharpening and Miami are firmly in contention.

The result carries added weight given the backdrop. Messi had only just returned to training after his emotional farewell to international football in Buenos Aires, where Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in his final appearance for the national team. GOAL reported that the forward rejoined the squad quickly and refocused on the club's postseason push. Head coach Kily Gonzalez made clear, as GOAL noted, that Miami now have Messi's full attention without the interruption of international windows, a significant advantage as the regular season reaches its final weeks.

The challenge now is sustaining that level. Miami had won just once in their previous five league outings before the DC United result, and consistency has been an issue throughout the campaign. New York City FC visit Nu Stadium on October 14, and with the playoff race tightening, Gonzalez's side will need to keep producing performances that match their ceiling.