Mascherano: Privilege to coach 'incredible' Messi
Lionel Messi led from the front for Inter Miami once more, having a hand in all four of their goals in a comfortable win over FC Cincinnati.
Javier Mascherano hailed the "unbelievable" Lionel Messi and warned Inter Miami not to get distracted after reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time.
Messi scored one and assisted three as Miami brushed aside FC Cincinnati 4-0 in the semifinals on Sunday, setting up a meeting with New York City FC next Saturday.
The winner of that match will then play for the MLS Cup, a title the Herons have made no secret of their desire to win.
Messi has been leading their charge, with 12 goal involvements (six goals, six assists) – the most contributions in MLS Cup playoffs history.
The Argentine also has the most goals (35) and assists (26) of any player across the whole of MLS this term, and Mascherano praised his talisman’s influence once more.
"Weekend after weekend, he is incredible," Mascherano said of Messi.
"We know how incredible he is with a ball, but he's the first man to do the pressure, directing the team.
"It's a privilege to coach Leo. He's leading the team in defense, pressing high, so when the team-mates see Leo in this way, it's impossible [not to] follow him. It's unbelievable."
Last season, Miami won the Supporters’ Shield, only to fall at the first hurdle in the playoffs, losing the First Round, best-of-three series 2-1 to Atlanta United.
They have improved on that result this time around, with NYCFC, who shocked the Philadelphia Union, next up at Chase Stadium.
The Herons have only ever won two of their 12 matches against NYCFC, though one of those was a 4-0 win in their last meeting in September, and they are unbeaten in five against them (four consecutive draws before that win).
Mascherano acknowledged just how much is at stake, but did not want his players getting ahead of themselves.
"We will concentrate and understand that we haven't gotten anywhere," he added.
"We are in the position that we wanted, but being so close, it's not worth distracting ourselves with other things.
"We have to do what we're doing, which is working, trying to prepare the next match, and be ready for Saturday to do the best match possible and to go to the MLS final."
