Messi has helped Inter Miami reach their first ever final as a club after a 4-1 win vs. Philadelphia Union. The Argentine scored the second goal of the game, an incredible strike from distance to give Inter Miami the 2-0 lead.
The planet's most proficient finisher delivered Inter Miami CF's second goal in the 20th minute of their Leagues Cup semifinal showdown against the Philadelphia Union and keyed a 4-1 win.
Messi's left-footed drive from more than 25 yards out on the left side eluded diving Union keeper Andre Blake and found the right side of the next.
Lionel Messi scores Inter Miami's second goal against the Philadelphia Union.
It was a painful sight for the vocal River End spectators situated behind that goal as they digested an early 2-0 deficit but certainly elicited plenty of vocal appreciation from other portions of the park. Many were dressed in Messi gear.
But Inter Miami wasn't done. After a takeaway in the defensive end, Robert Taylor slithered a perfect pass from midfield to Jordi Alba, making a run down the left side. The Spanish international and former Barcelona teammate of Messi's scored to make it 3-0 in first-half injury time.
The Union had numerous scoring chances foiled early in the first half, and Messi was also thwarted on another opportunity before Alejandro Bedoya scored in the 73rd minute after a corner kick to pull the hosts within 3-1. But Inter Miami increased its lead to 4-1 in the 83rd minute when David Ruiz slid a shot past the lunging Blake and that was the final result.
"We got punished by a good team," Union coach Jim Curtin said afterward. "We got humbled a bit. Overall we know we need to be better . . . We gave up goals that we shouldn't have."
What is always a colorful atmosphere at Subaru Park when the Philadelphia Union are home had some new hues on Tuesday.
Messi's visit with Inter Miami brought hordes of fans donning Messi's No. 10 in the pink or black Miami kit or the fabled sky blue and white vertical stripes of World Cup champ Argentina.
"Let's go Union! Messi's going down tonight," Wilmington resident Carlos Castaneda, wearing his Union jersey, proclaimed.
Nearby son Aldo, sporting a black Messi top, had a different viewpoint, shouting "Go Miami!" as he and his family waited to enter the stadium. Aldo was going to be one of the youngsters who walks onto the field with the teams in the pregame.
"Aldo is a lover of Messi," dad said, "but he likes the Union, too."
The crowd is split between pink Inter Miami and blue Philadelphia Union jerseys as Lionel Messi plays in a Leagues Cup match Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023 at Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
The football frenzy Messi's visit set off was felt everywhere as a prelude to the energy his appearance on the pitch incited. StubHub prices for standing-room only seats were going for more than $200 Tuesday afternoon and some seats were priced at well over $1,000.
"I've never been quite so excited for an MLS game," said Wilmington resident Helen Yeh as she tailgated before the game.
She was joined by husband Oliver, son Bruno and friend Johnny Finizio.
"Messi is not my GOAT but he is a great player and I'm excited to see him," said Finizio, the grandson of long-time former Archmere soccer coach Mike Finizio. "I'm excited to see him lose."
The early Messi-influenced Miami barrage made that unlikely.
Messi, not that he isn't used to it, and his teammates had to cope with one of the most passionate crowds in MLS while venturing into Subaru Park.
The Sons of Ben, a supporters group that was instrumental in Philadelphia securing an MLS franchise 15 years ago, was perched at the River End, singing and chanting to the sounds of beating drums amidst a banner- and flag-infused backdrop. An overflow crowd of 19,000 provided vocal accompaniment.
Inter Miami CF midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi (30), forward Lionel Messi (10) and teammates celebrate after Josef Martinez scored a goal against the Philadelphia Union during the first half at Subaru Park.
Energized by their supporters, the Union entered Tuesday having won 10 straight home games and were unbeaten in their last 15. They'd allowed just four goals in five League Cup games and but thwarting the planet's most prolific scorer was too tall a task.
But Messi, worldwide icon that he is, had plenty of support in his visit here. During pregame introductions, when Union fans traditionally yell "Sucks!" at the mention of every opposing player, cheers drowned that out when Messi's name was announced.
Source: Internet
BDST: 0900 HRS, AUG 16, 2023
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