Miami, May 18 -- Argentina's FIFA World Cup-winning legend Lionel Messi has his World Cup preparations in full swing as he contributed with a goal and an assist to help Inter Miami secure a 2-0 win over Portland Timbers in their Major League Soccer (MLS) match on Monday morning.

Inter Miami stays at the second spot in the competition with their eighth win, having drawn four and losing three, giving them 28 points. They are just two points away from table-toppers Nashville.

Inter Miami secured the lead in the 34th minute, with Messi picking up Luis Suarez outside the box, playing the ball into Segovia's path, who fed Messi present in the centre of the box. Messi wasted no time in scoring his 12th goal of the season, courtesy of Segovia's...