Lionel Messi scores for Inter Miami in 1-1 MLS tie with Toronto

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi scored for the third time in four Major League Soccer matches this season, helping Inter Miami get a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC on Sunday night.

It was Messi's 40th goal across all competitions since joining Inter Miami, extending his franchise record. The goal Sunday was a left-footed volley from the top of the 18-yard box about five minutes into first-half stoppage time.

The tie left Inter Miami (4-0-2) one point behind Columbus in the Eastern Conference, with one match in hand.

Messi's goal tied the match, three minutes after Federico Bernardeschi opened the scoring for Toronto (0-4-3). Messi had what appeared to be a goal wiped out earlier in the first half after it was determined he committed a foul shortly before that score.

Toronto had the lead for only the second time all season — the first was a 19-minute stretch against Chicago last month. This time, Messi took it away quickly.

Messi has had at least one point in all four MLS matches in which he has appeared this season for Inter Miami, which is 8-1-2 overall this season when adding in four victories in CONCACAF Champions Cup matches. The loss was a 1-0 decision against LAFC in a Champions Cup match last week; the second leg of that matchup is Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale.

Toronto plays Saturday at home against Minnesota. Inter Miami resumes MLS play next Sunday at the Chicago Fire.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, right, blocks a scoring attempt on a corner kick under pressure from Inter Miami forward Allen Obando, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A scoring attempt by Inter Miami forward Allen Obando is blocked by Toronto FC defender Nicksoen Gomis (15) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

A scoring attempt by Inter Miami forward Allen Obando is blocked by Toronto FC defender Nicksoen Gomis (15) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Toronto FC forward Federico Bernardeschi (10), center, scores his side's first goal against Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Toronto FC defender Raoul Petretta (28) heads a cross intended for Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, celebrates with teammate midfielder Federico Redondo (55) after scoring his side's first goal against Toronto FC during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring in stoppage time during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, right, moves the ball defended by Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball defended by Toronto FC defender Nicksoen Gomis (15) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi scores his side's first goal during stoppage time in the first half of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Chelsea was back on the coaching carousel under its American ownership on Thursday after Enzo Maresca left his position as manager following a reported deterioration in his relationship with the Premier League club’s hierarchy.

There was no immediate announcement regarding the successor to Maresca. The BBC and The Athletic reported that Liam Rosenior, who coaches French team Strasbourg — a club in the same ownership group as Chelsea, is a leading contender.

Maresca was midway through his second year in charge, having won the Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season at Chelsea.

However, the team has endured a turbulent last few months — Chelsea has won just one of its last seven Premier League matches to drop to fifth place — while Maresca publicly expressed his unhappiness at a lack of support at the club in a post-match news conference on Dec. 13, when the Italian said he had just experienced his “worst” 48 hours at Chelsea.

“With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football," Chelsea said in a statement, "Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.”

Chelsea has advanced to the English League Cup semifinals, where it will play Arsenal over two legs, and begins its FA Cup campaign away to second-tier Charlton on Jan. 10. In the Champions League, Chelsea is in 13th place in the 36-team league, two points off the eight automatic qualification spots with two rounds of matches left.

Chelsea is seeking a fifth full-time manager since the takeover of the club by American investors, fronted by Todd Boehly, in May 2022.

In the past 3 1/2 years, Chelsea has spent hundreds of million of pounds (dollars) in what looked from the outside a chaotic bid to sign players to refresh its squad. It now has one of the youngest and most talented squads in the Premier League, with star players including Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Estevao, but managers have struggled to get the players to gel as a team after so many changes.

Out of all the managers to have led Chelsea in that period — and they include Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, the current coaches of England and the United States, respectively — Maresca appeared to have handled the chaos the best.

Yet he reportedly didn’t feel appreciated given the tough working conditions and, according to the BBC, recently switched agents. A few weeks ago, media reports in England linked Maresca with a possible move to Manchester City — where he briefly worked under Pep Guardiola — should Guardiola eventually leave, though Maresca played the reports down.

Chelsea’s results have taken a downturn since a 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League in November.

The team’s only league win in the past month was over Everton, 2-0. There have been draws with Arsenal, Newcastle and Bournemouth (twice) and losses to Leeds and Aston Villa.

Its next game is at plays second-place Man City on Sunday.

Chelsea said its achievements under Maresca “will remain an important part of the club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the club.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca reacts during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Atalanta and Chelsea, in Bergamo, Italy, on Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)

FILE - Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca sits on a bench ahead of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Qarabag and Chelsea in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo, File)

Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca, left, gives instructions to Estevao during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Bournemouth in London, England, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)