Messi is the first player in MLS history to have a multi-goal streak of more than four matches. He is second in the league with 16 goals

Messi, who won the MLS Most Valuable Player award in 2024 with 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 games played in the regular season, seems intent on increasing his output this year.

Cincinnati, which is now in second place in the Eastern Conference behind the Philadelphia Union, controlled most of the 45 minutes and six minutes of extra time in the first half, frequently working...