The G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) of soccer has finally made his way to New York (technically New Jersey) as the New York Red Bulls hosted Lionel Messi and Inter Miami FC on August 26.
This was the next stop in a Messi-magic run this summer with Miami ever since he joined the team on July 21. Since then, he has taken a team that was in last place in Major League Soccer (MLS) to win the Leagues Cup – an international soccer tournament that includes the MLS and the top division in Mexico, Liga MX.
This game against New York had a different feel to it, however, as it was the first league game Messi has played this summer for Inter Miami, marking it as his official MLS debut. It resulted in a 2-0 Miami shutout, keeping their win streak alive. The first goal came in the thirty-seventh minute from 20-year-old Midfielder, Diego Gomez, who played in his first game of his career.
Messi didn’t start this game, but he checked in during the fifty-ninth minute. Of course, he still had to leave his own mark on the field. He scored a beautiful goal in the eighty-ninth minute to seal it which was created by a perfect pass he made earlier in the play. This was Messi’s eleventh goal for Inter Miami in just nine games.
On paper, this looked like a game the Red Bulls should’ve won. Possession was basically even for both teams, with the Red Bulls having a slight edge. They had 4 shots on goal with 13 attempts compared to Miami’s 3 shots on goal across 6 attempts. They also had a huge advantage on corner kicks with 10 compared to Miami’s 1. It simply came down to finishing their chances as Miami managed to bury 2 of their 3 shots on goal while the Red Bulls missed 9 shots and had 4 shots saved.
This loss has placed the Red Bulls in eleventh place thus far with a record of 7-8-10 (29 points). Despite this they are still only 3 points away from making the playoffs, which is much more doable compared to Miami.
Messi may have taken this team out of last place with this win, but they still have ways to go if they want to make a miracle run for the playoffs. They sit in fourteenth place now with a 6-3-14 record (21 points). With just eleven matches remaining, it’s possible, but it would be such a historic run.
Miami’s status as the worst team in the MLS proves how impressive this run is and how impactful a player like Messi is. He has carried this team in every way possible and has just simply made his teammates better. Messi also managed to bring some of his former FC Barcelona stars in Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
He has completely changed the culture in Miami and in the MLS as a whole. Everybody wants to go to Miami games to see “La Pulga” play in person. Ticket prices have skyrocketed. The cheapest tickets have risen from around $29 all the way to $544, and it’s worth it.
“Messi is one of those players who everybody knows, even if you’re not a soccer fan. As a child playing soccer, I was amazed at how one player could have such an impact.” says Ava Muffoletto, a soccer fan and player from Kings Park.
“Now as a college soccer player it’s astounding that he is so prolific and monumental to the game. It’s crazy to think that I can have a chance to see him play in person in my home state.”
Messi’s impact on the soccer world is truly remarkable. Inter Miami’s next game comes against Nashville FC on Wednesday, August 30, followed by LAFC on September 3. The Red Bulls take on New England in their next game followed by Philadelphia on September 3. Make sure to tune in to both teams the rest of the season as they push for the playoffs.
