CHESTER, Pa. — Lionel Messi provided what many fans came to see and even more feared Tuesday night at Subaru Park.
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.
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 Messi wasn’t done. After a takeaway in the defensive end, he slithered a perfect pass from midfield to Jori Alba, making a run down the left side. The Spanish international and former Barcelona teammate of Messi 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.
Fan favorite
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 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.
Pitch passion
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.
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.
When play started, each Messi touch drew boos from the River End. But Josef Martinez’s third-minute strike then gave the visitors a quick 1-0 edge.
Who is Lionel Messi?
Messi is a record 7-time recipient of the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best soccer player and recently led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar. The diminutive 5-foot-7 Messi has long been a giant on the pitch, employing his often-breathtaking creativity and finishing skills to concoct more than 800 goals for club and country.
Messi was 16 when he made his initial first-team appearance in 2003 with FC Barcelona, the renowned Spanish side for which he’d risen through the youth ranks. He starred for FC Barcelona into 2021, winning 10 La Liga and four UEFA Champions League trophies, while becoming one of the most celebrated performers in the world’s biggest sport.
He then spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain before signing with Inter Miami in June. Messi has been nearly unstoppable since, scoring eight goals in his first five games and Inter Miami has won them all.
This is the inaugural mid-summer edition of the Leagues Cup with all 47 teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX taking part and league competition paused for a month.
In Tuesday’s other semifinal, Nashville hosts Mexican side Monterrey. The final and third-place game are Saturday, with the top three finishers reaching the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Union will be at home for either game.
Have an idea for a compelling local sports story or is there an issue that needs public scrutiny? Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.
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