Lionel Messi Visits Philadelphia And Blows Out The Union (Gallery)
Tuesday night, Philadelphia had a brush with soccer greatness. Lionel Messi became the best soccer player to step onto the pitch at Subaru Park since Sebastien Le Toux (real Union…
CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 15: Jack McGlynn #16 of Philadelphia Union controls the ball against Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF in the second half during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Tuesday night, Philadelphia had a brush with soccer greatness. Lionel Messi became the best soccer player to step onto the pitch at Subaru Park since Sebastien Le Toux (real Union fans respect the legend). A packed crowd of Union fans, unfortunately, had to see him and Inter Miami tear our team apart in the Semi-Finals of the Leagues Cup. That part sucked. But still, getting to see one of the Goats of the sport up close, even later in his career, was a treat.
In the same way, we don't mind too much getting to see Barry Bonds deposit a Jon Lieber pitch into the 3rd deck of Citizen's Bank Park, you have to appreciate the greatness of Lionel Messi. Even while his team rips our team apart by a final score of 4-1.
Messi got involved in the scoring. With Miami already up 1-0 in the 19th minute, Messi got a little bit of open space. And that little bit was too much to give the Goat. He snuck a ball past Andre Blake on the ground, to put his team up 2-0 early.
Jordi Alba made it 3-0 in stoppage time just before half-time. In the second half, Alejandro Bedoya would get the Union on the board in the 73rd minute. But David Ruiz got that goal back for Miami 10 minutes later.
The Union did not cover themselves in glory. Andre Blake had a rare bad game. They looked like they were playing scared from the start, and showing way too much respect for Messi. And it all showed on the field. That much is clear from the results. But embarrassing loss aside, we did still get to see Messi's greatness in person.
So while we clean our wounds, let's look back on what was still an exciting night for the Sport in Philadelphia:
Messi Warms Up At Subaru Park Before the Game
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)The first time Messi took the field was not in the game, but for Pre-Game Warmups, with an already packed crowd at Subaru Park.
Union Starters Pose Before Match
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Andre Blake, Jack Elliott, Kai Wagner, Damion Lowe, Jakob Glesnes, Leon Flach, Jose Martinez, Nathan Harriel, Chris Donovan, Daniel Gazdag, and Jesus Bueno pose on the field before the game.
Miami's Starters Pose Pre-Game
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)And here we See Miami's starters. Lionel Messi, Robert Taylor, Josef Martinez, Dixon Arroyo, Benjamin Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets, Deandre Yeldin, Jordi Alba, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller, and Drake Callendar.
Packed Crowd at Subaru Park
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)To be fair, the Union don't need Messi to pack Subaru Park. The crowd there is always great. But tickets were an even hotter commodity than usual, with even first hand tickets cost hundreds of dollars per person.
More Shots of Subaru Park
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Result aside, it was a cool night at Subaru park. The energy was sucked out early thanks to Miami just outplaying the Union. But Union fans still showed up in droves.
Riverside Shot of Subaru Park Before The Game
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Inter Miami CF walks onto the pitch prior to the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Messi and Josef Martinez Celebrate Their First Gaol
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)It was not Lionel Messi who scored first for Miami. That honor belonged to Josef Martinez, who had been their best player before they acquired basically every former Barcelona player. But Messi was right there to celebrate with his new teammate after he made it 1-0.
Messi Makes it 2-0
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)The Union would not hold Messi off the board for long though. Before the 20th minute he scored a semi-long range goal to make it 2-0. Just sneaking the ball by Andre Blake, who probably should have saved it. Here he is celebrating after that goal.
Jack McGlynn Controls the Ball vs Messi
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)McGlynn, at 20 years old, likely grew up watching Messi and Ronaldo battle in El Clasico. Well last night he got to face Messi in person. here he was with the ball as Messi defended him.
Jordi Alba Makes It 3-0
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Late in the first half, Jordi Alba made it 3-0. Alba was one of many former Barcelona teammates with Messi who followed him to South Beach to play for Inter Miami. They played together there from 2012 until Messi left in 2020. Now they reunite in the MLS.
Alejandro Bedoya Scores The Lone Union Goal
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)At least the Union didn't get shut out. Alejandro Bedoya came off the bench, and in the 73rd minutes, got a goal off a corner kick to make it 3-1. Here he is celebrating with Jakob Glesnes after the goal.
David Ruiz gets on back for Miami
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)That did not lead to anything for the Union though. About 10 minutes later, another guy who played with Messi at Barcelona made it 4-1 for Miami. David Ruiz netted his first MLS goal, and he can be seen here celebrating with Messi and Alba.
