When Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini, forward for Inter Miami CF netted a third‑minute hat‑trick on at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, the 2025 MLS regular‑season finaleGEODIS Park turned into a 5‑2 showcase for the visiting side. The result didn’t knock Nashville Soccer Club out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture; the club still clinched the sixth seed with 54 points and will open the postseason on October 26.
Match Recap: Messi’s Masterclass
Messi opened the scoring in the 34th minute, slipping the ball past Nashville’s goalkeeper Joe Willis after a slick give‑and‑go with Jordi Alba. The Argentine captain doubled his tally from the spot in the 63rd, then capped the night with a clinical finish at 81 minutes. Besides the hat‑trick, he set up Alba’s early assist and later linked with midfielder Ian Fray for the 90+1 stoppage‑time goal.
For Nashville, Sam Surridge struck at 43 minutes, a low‑driven finish off a perfectly weighted pass from captain Hany Mukhtar. Six minutes later, Canadian winger Jacob Shaffelburg tapped in a rebound to make it 2‑2, sparking a brief surge that evaporated as Inter Miami reclaimed control.
Inter Miami added a fifth on a 67th‑minute strike from Uruguayan midfielder Baltasar Rodriguez and sealed the win with a 90+1 goal by Venezuelan Telasco Segovia. Nashville’s defense, marshaled by captain Walker Zimmerman, bobbed and weaved but ultimately could not contain the relentless Argentine attack.
Season Overview: Nashville’s Road to the Playoffs
The 2025 MLS campaign ended for Nashville SC with a 16‑12‑6 ledger, totaling 54 points. That placed them comfortably in the sixth slot, ahead of rivals like the New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union. The club posted 16 wins, a respectable 6 draws, and 12 defeats—a record that mirrors its steady climb since joining the league in 2020.
Statistically, midfielder Eddi Tagseth covered the most ground in the season finale, logging an impressive 7.02 miles according to MLS tracking data. His work rate is emblematic of Nashville’s high‑pressing philosophy under head coach Gary Smith.
“We knew we had to finish strong,” Smith said in the post‑match press conference. “Even though the result wasn’t what we wanted, the boys showed fight, and the points we gathered all season keep us alive in the hunt.”
Key Players and Performances
Messi’s three‑goal haul was the headline, but other Inter Miami contributors mattered. Spanish veteran Jordi Alba, operating as a left‑back, provided the opening assist and stretched Nashville’s backline with overlapping runs. American midfielder Ian Fray added a crucial assist in the dying minutes, underscoring Miami’s depth of young talent.
On the Nashville side, Mukhtar’s vision was on full display, threading the ball to Surridge and orchestrating the midfield’s transition. Zimmerman, the experienced centre‑back, organized a line that, while porous on the day, kept numerous attacks at bay and highlighted why he’s a fixture in the U.S. national pool.
Inter Miami’s coach Gerardo Martín praised his squad: “Messi is a magician, but football is a team sport. Our guys executed the game plan, and the chemistry was evident.”
Reactions and Analyses
Fans took to social media, with many dubbing the match “Messi‑Mania” while Nashville supporters expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the upcoming playoff clash. Local outlet The Tennessean ran a piece titled “From Hat‑Trick to Heartbreak: Nashville’s Playoff Dreams Still Alive,” highlighting the club’s resilient spirit.
Analytics sites logged interesting discrepancies: while Nashville’s official recap listed Inter Miami’s record as 19‑7‑6 (63 points), ESPN reported a 19‑8‑7 ledger (65 points). The two‑point gap stems from a contested draw that MLS later amended, though the league has yet to issue a formal clarification.
Regardless of the statistical quibble, the broader picture is clear: Inter Miami clinched the Eastern Conference’s best regular‑season record, edging out the New York Red Bulls by two points, while Nashville secured the final playoff berth.
Implications for the Eastern Conference Playoffs
With the postseason set to kick off on October 26, Nashville SC will draw the third‑seeded team—likely the New York Red Bulls—at a venue to be confirmed by MLS headquarters in New York City. The club’s next challenge will be to tighten its defensive shape against a high‑caliber opponent and find a way to neutralize star players.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami enters the playoffs as the top seed, hoping Messi’s form carries over into the knockout rounds. Their next opponent will be the sixth‑seeded club, setting up a potential rematch if Nashville survives their opening round.
What’s Next for Nashville SC
Coach Smith indicated the roster will see minimal changes ahead of the playoffs, focusing instead on tactical tweaks. “We’ll work on set‑piece defending and maintaining composure in high‑pressure moments,” he noted. The club also plans a community outreach event at GEODIS Park next week, inviting fans to meet the players before the postseason frenzy.
In summary, the 5‑2 loss was a bitter pill, but the season’s body of work earned Nashville a shot at glory. As the city gears up for postseason football, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the club can turn a defensive lapse into a championship run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the loss affect Nashville SC’s playoff seeding?
Despite the 5‑2 defeat, Nashville SC retains the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference because its 54 points remain ahead of the seventh‑place club. The loss only confirms the seeding; the team will still face the third‑seeded opponent in the first round.
Who scored Nashville’s goals in the match?
The goals came from English striker Sam Surridge at the 43rd minute and Canadian winger Jacob Shaffelburg at 45+6 minutes.
What was the controversy regarding Inter Miami’s record?
Nashville SC’s official recap lists Inter Miami at 19‑7‑6 (63 points), while ESPN’s report shows 19‑8‑7 (65 points). The two‑point discrepancy arises from a match that MLS later re‑classified from a win to a draw, though the league has not yet issued a definitive statement.
When does the Eastern Conference playoff schedule begin?
The playoffs kick off on October 26, 2025. Nashville SC’s first‑round match is slated for the weekend, with the exact date, time and venue to be announced by MLS headquarters in New York City.
How did Messi’s performance impact Inter Miami’s standings?
Messi’s hat‑trick helped Inter Miami secure a 5‑2 victory, reinforcing their position as the Eastern Conference’s top seed. The win kept them two points ahead of the New York Red Bulls, ensuring home‑field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
