Lionel Messi and his Inter-Miami team will wow fans in the Delaware Valley tonight when they come to Subaru Park in Chester to take on the Philadelphia Union.
Messi, the soccer phenom who joined the MLS in June, has soccer fans in a frenzy, and this will be the region’s chance to see him play from the stands.
Pitch passion
Messi, not that he isn’t used to it, and his teammates must 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, will be 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 will provide vocal accompaniment.
Energized by their supporters, the Union have won 10 straight home games and are unbeaten in their last 15. They’ve allowed just four goals in five League Cup games and now must thwart the planet’s most prolific scorer.
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.
Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union (Leagues Cup)
- When: Tuesday, Aug. 15
- Where: Subaru Park (Chester, PA)
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Channel/streaming: Apple TV (Watch now)
Leagues Cup Starting Lineups
Philadelphia Union possible lineup:Blake, Glesnes, Elliott, Lowe, Martinez, Mbaizo, Wagner, Bueno, McGlynn, Carranza, Uhre
Inter Miami possible lineup:Callender, Yedlin, Miller, Kryvtsov, Alba, Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi, Messi, Martinez, Taylor
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Messi injury:Tuesday’s match between Philadelphia Union, Messi-led Inter Miami sells out in minutes
Philadelphia Union seats:Tuesday’s match between Philadelphia Union, Messi-led Inter Miami sells out in minutes
