It happened on essentially the last play of the match and he buried it to take the win. You couldn’t have scripted a better opening moment for him. Outside of that - Messi and Sergio were head and...
It happened on essentially the last play of the match and he buried it to take the win. You couldn’t have scripted a better opening moment for him.
Outside of that - Messi and Sergio were head and shoulders better than the rest of the team and the skill gap was painfully obvious throughout the game. Many plays set up by the new recruits that the team failed to execute on, or many chances to leverage good positioning by Messi where they chose poor alternatives. The rest of the squad is going to have to drastically improve in order to take advantage of and maximize Messi’s talents on the field.
Agreed, it was a storybook ending to the game. He setup so many potential scoring opportunities for his teammates who just couldn’t execute. But having an elite (and in this case not just elite,...
Agreed, it was a storybook ending to the game. He setup so many potential scoring opportunities for his teammates who just couldn’t execute. But having an elite (and in this case not just elite, but the GOAT) playmaker should really help Miami climb up the standings.
Before last night, I’ve watched maybe an hour of MLS soccer in all my life. Last night I watched the entire game, and I will watch Tuesday’s game as well. Messi is definitely going to bring so many eyes to the MLS, which is great for the league, the other players in MLS, and American soccer in general.
This is so fucking painful to read as a life long football fan. Another great just wasted away again for money, fame or whatever the fuck it is with modern football. Maybe even the greatest of all...
side of that - Messi and Sergio were head and shoulders better than the rest of the team and the skill gap was painfully obvious throughout the game. Many plays set up by the new recruits that the team failed to execute on, or many chances to leverage good positioning by Messi where they chose poor alternatives. The rest of the squad is going to have to drastically improve in order to take advantage of and maximize Messi’s talents on the field.
This is so fucking painful to read as a life long football fan. Another great just wasted away again for money, fame or whatever the fuck it is with modern football. Maybe even the greatest of all time this time. Some role models these footballers are for our kids. The sport is dead on a higher level.
And this is not bashing on MLS specifically. Just look at Ronaldo, Gerrard, Henderson, Mahrez in Saudi now. It’s so sad to watch.
It reminds me of Wayne Gretzky being sold/traded to the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL in the late 1980s. Hockey was a fringe sport in much of the Southern US and without a player of Gretzky's...
It reminds me of Wayne Gretzky being sold/traded to the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL in the late 1980s. Hockey was a fringe sport in much of the Southern US and without a player of Gretzky's calibre bringing attention to the sport I don't think that the NHL's expansion into the Southern US would have happened.
Sure but haven’t the US tried and failed with this tactic since the 70s with washed up superstars and nothing really sticks. It’s just a sad excuse to me. I know I’m being cynical but nothing in...
Sure but haven’t the US tried and failed with this tactic since the 70s with washed up superstars and nothing really sticks. It’s just a sad excuse to me. I know I’m being cynical but nothing in football in recent years makes me think it’s different this time. And just because he could have made more money elsewhere doesn’t make this insignificant money wise. I just wish more stars would make choices based on something else than money and fame when they have that in abundance already later in their career.
Yep, Messi isn’t anywhere near washed up. And based on the display last night, he could play many more seasons in the MLS based on “intelligence” alone even as a slow 40 something. He might not...
Yep, Messi isn’t anywhere near washed up. And based on the display last night, he could play many more seasons in the MLS based on “intelligence” alone even as a slow 40 something. He might not cut up a triple team in 5 years like he did last night but I’m sure he could still create space and score.
More importantly in my opinion, it’s great if he can make the rest of MLS play better or be less painful to watch (at times) or get the next generation of fans and players excited. It’s Messi. Playing in MLS.
No disrespect to Beckham or Zlatan, but they weren’t Messi.
To me the worst part of watching MLS on tv (not my local team but most) is the completely empty stadium. If he can have a knock on effect that fills stadiums it would be great for teams financially and great for tv viewers.
Spot-on. I don’t know if there’s a name for it, but something similar happened to me during all those COVID games with empty stadiums across all sports. A big part of me felt that I was wasting my...
Spot-on. I don’t know if there’s a name for it, but something similar happened to me during all those COVID games with empty stadiums across all sports. A big part of me felt that I was wasting my time spectating if nobody was physically present in the stands. And because of that feeling, I actually tuned out until fans were allowed back in. Strangers cheering on their team in the flesh seems to a communicate a signal of importance and that maybe I should care too and tune in.
An example from today would be to compare RSL v SEA and POR v SJ. RSL dominated SEA in the first half but it felt lifeless. Portland isn’t a great team this year but the stadium fits the crowd and...
An example from today would be to compare RSL v SEA and POR v SJ. RSL dominated SEA in the first half but it felt lifeless. Portland isn’t a great team this year but the stadium fits the crowd and the crowd fits the stadium. It’s engaging to watch.
Oh, wow. That goal in the 33’.
I’ll be sticking with POR v SJ because it feels alive.
Edit: I haven’t been to an MLS game in maybe 5 years and since about the same time if I watched anything it’s been less popular European league, but I’ll be watching the rest of this season and the Leagues Cup.
No you’re right he isn’t washed up yet. I don’t know where you got that I think he should stay at PSG or go to Barca. I never said that anywhere. I loathe that he wasted so many good football...
No you’re right he isn’t washed up yet. I don’t know where you got that I think he should stay at PSG or go to Barca. I never said that anywhere. I loathe that he wasted so many good football years in that “club”. Why is it that PSG, Barca, Saudi or the US needs to be the only options here? There a tons of middle clubs where he (like you say) could help them and their league AND play with decent teammates too and not turn it into the circus this is.
There’s a lot going for soccer in the US now that merits another chance. MLS is in a healthy place financially. I believe the average club’s value is around $600M. Most clubs have their own...
There’s a lot going for soccer in the US now that merits another chance.
MLS is in a healthy place financially. I believe the average club’s value is around $600M.
Most clubs have their own soccer-specific stadium with more being built every season.
The Apple TV streaming deal makes it dead simple for anyone, anywhere to follow the league if they wish.
Showcasing a player like Messi while leading up to the 2026 World Cup will be the USA’s strongest push yet for eyeballs.
I think Messi made a fantastic decision. He’s already won everything there is to win, so what better challenge is left for him than to spend the final arc of his career serving as an ambassador who can still play at an elite level to elevate soccer in a country where previous stars haven’t been able to before.
And while I don’t want to speculate too much on his personal life, he already looks much happier in Miami than he did in Paris. PSG saw him as a tool to win CL whereas Miami and MLS are just ecstatic that he’s there. He’s in a city where not speaking English is a total non-issue, he’s closer to Argentina by a few hours, he’s playing with his best friends from his Barça days, and despite getting tons of attention, it’s an order of magnitude less than what he’s used to in Europe to the point he can be out and about without being mobbed too badly.
With his arrival, every Inter Miami match has instantly become appointment viewing for me and a I’ve heard the same from people around me who never tuned into Barça or PSG matches as it wasn’t on their radar.
Maybe you are right, though, and this will just be another failed attempt at popularizing the sport in a country with a massive NFL, NBA, and MLB following. But if anyone deserves a shot at proving us wrong, it’s Lionel Messi.
It’s “must watch” for me, not that I necessarily will watch it live. Personally I like the Apple TV broadcasts and price. Generally, I would suggest watching MLS is more accessible than Ligue 1 or...
With his arrival, every Inter Miami match has instantly become appointment viewing for me and a I’ve heard the same from people around me who never tuned into Barça or PSG matches as it wasn’t on their radar.
It’s “must watch” for me, not that I necessarily will watch it live. Personally I like the Apple TV broadcasts and price. Generally, I would suggest watching MLS is more accessible than Ligue 1 or La Liga for folks in the US.
Okay I’m OP. I don’t agree with your take. Let me expound. I’m really optimistic that the team will improve dramatically by learning from Messi. They showed growth even in their short time on the...
Exemplary
Okay I’m OP. I don’t agree with your take.
Let me expound. I’m really optimistic that the team will improve dramatically by learning from Messi. They showed growth even in their short time on the pitch with him. I think he will propel this team to some key wins this year and improve the program long term too.
Even in spite of that, Messi is entering the sunset of his career. He’s done all the things already. He could’ve joined another exceptional team and played until he retired, sure - but he’s already done that. He saw an opportunity to transform and shape a league, much like Beckham did when he stepped into MLS. Seems like a great opportunity to build his legacy to me.
He is inspiring so many people just by showing up and playing. Just anecdotally, so many people who couldn’t care less about soccer have been talking to me about his transfer and games. My kids are enamored with him even more now that he’s stateside. They ball outside and all want to be “Messi”.
Personally, I think him coming to this league is anything but “sad”.
It happened on essentially the last play of the match and he buried it to take the win. You couldn’t have scripted a better opening moment for him.
Outside of that - Messi and Sergio were head and shoulders better than the rest of the team and the skill gap was painfully obvious throughout the game. Many plays set up by the new recruits that the team failed to execute on, or many chances to leverage good positioning by Messi where they chose poor alternatives. The rest of the squad is going to have to drastically improve in order to take advantage of and maximize Messi’s talents on the field.
Agreed, it was a storybook ending to the game. He setup so many potential scoring opportunities for his teammates who just couldn’t execute. But having an elite (and in this case not just elite, but the GOAT) playmaker should really help Miami climb up the standings.
Before last night, I’ve watched maybe an hour of MLS soccer in all my life. Last night I watched the entire game, and I will watch Tuesday’s game as well. Messi is definitely going to bring so many eyes to the MLS, which is great for the league, the other players in MLS, and American soccer in general.
This is so fucking painful to read as a life long football fan. Another great just wasted away again for money, fame or whatever the fuck it is with modern football. Maybe even the greatest of all time this time. Some role models these footballers are for our kids. The sport is dead on a higher level.
And this is not bashing on MLS specifically. Just look at Ronaldo, Gerrard, Henderson, Mahrez in Saudi now. It’s so sad to watch.
It reminds me of Wayne Gretzky being sold/traded to the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL in the late 1980s. Hockey was a fringe sport in much of the Southern US and without a player of Gretzky's calibre bringing attention to the sport I don't think that the NHL's expansion into the Southern US would have happened.
Sure but haven’t the US tried and failed with this tactic since the 70s with washed up superstars and nothing really sticks. It’s just a sad excuse to me. I know I’m being cynical but nothing in football in recent years makes me think it’s different this time. And just because he could have made more money elsewhere doesn’t make this insignificant money wise. I just wish more stars would make choices based on something else than money and fame when they have that in abundance already later in their career.
Yep, Messi isn’t anywhere near washed up. And based on the display last night, he could play many more seasons in the MLS based on “intelligence” alone even as a slow 40 something. He might not cut up a triple team in 5 years like he did last night but I’m sure he could still create space and score.
More importantly in my opinion, it’s great if he can make the rest of MLS play better or be less painful to watch (at times) or get the next generation of fans and players excited. It’s Messi. Playing in MLS.
No disrespect to Beckham or Zlatan, but they weren’t Messi.
To me the worst part of watching MLS on tv (not my local team but most) is the completely empty stadium. If he can have a knock on effect that fills stadiums it would be great for teams financially and great for tv viewers.
Spot-on. I don’t know if there’s a name for it, but something similar happened to me during all those COVID games with empty stadiums across all sports. A big part of me felt that I was wasting my time spectating if nobody was physically present in the stands. And because of that feeling, I actually tuned out until fans were allowed back in. Strangers cheering on their team in the flesh seems to a communicate a signal of importance and that maybe I should care too and tune in.
An example from today would be to compare RSL v SEA and POR v SJ. RSL dominated SEA in the first half but it felt lifeless. Portland isn’t a great team this year but the stadium fits the crowd and the crowd fits the stadium. It’s engaging to watch.
Oh, wow. That goal in the 33’.
I’ll be sticking with POR v SJ because it feels alive.
Edit: I haven’t been to an MLS game in maybe 5 years and since about the same time if I watched anything it’s been less popular European league, but I’ll be watching the rest of this season and the Leagues Cup.
No you’re right he isn’t washed up yet. I don’t know where you got that I think he should stay at PSG or go to Barca. I never said that anywhere. I loathe that he wasted so many good football years in that “club”. Why is it that PSG, Barca, Saudi or the US needs to be the only options here? There a tons of middle clubs where he (like you say) could help them and their league AND play with decent teammates too and not turn it into the circus this is.
There’s a lot going for soccer in the US now that merits another chance.
I think Messi made a fantastic decision. He’s already won everything there is to win, so what better challenge is left for him than to spend the final arc of his career serving as an ambassador who can still play at an elite level to elevate soccer in a country where previous stars haven’t been able to before.
And while I don’t want to speculate too much on his personal life, he already looks much happier in Miami than he did in Paris. PSG saw him as a tool to win CL whereas Miami and MLS are just ecstatic that he’s there. He’s in a city where not speaking English is a total non-issue, he’s closer to Argentina by a few hours, he’s playing with his best friends from his Barça days, and despite getting tons of attention, it’s an order of magnitude less than what he’s used to in Europe to the point he can be out and about without being mobbed too badly.
With his arrival, every Inter Miami match has instantly become appointment viewing for me and a I’ve heard the same from people around me who never tuned into Barça or PSG matches as it wasn’t on their radar.
Maybe you are right, though, and this will just be another failed attempt at popularizing the sport in a country with a massive NFL, NBA, and MLB following. But if anyone deserves a shot at proving us wrong, it’s Lionel Messi.
It’s “must watch” for me, not that I necessarily will watch it live. Personally I like the Apple TV broadcasts and price. Generally, I would suggest watching MLS is more accessible than Ligue 1 or La Liga for folks in the US.
Okay I’m OP. I don’t agree with your take.
Let me expound. I’m really optimistic that the team will improve dramatically by learning from Messi. They showed growth even in their short time on the pitch with him. I think he will propel this team to some key wins this year and improve the program long term too.
Even in spite of that, Messi is entering the sunset of his career. He’s done all the things already. He could’ve joined another exceptional team and played until he retired, sure - but he’s already done that. He saw an opportunity to transform and shape a league, much like Beckham did when he stepped into MLS. Seems like a great opportunity to build his legacy to me.
He is inspiring so many people just by showing up and playing. Just anecdotally, so many people who couldn’t care less about soccer have been talking to me about his transfer and games. My kids are enamored with him even more now that he’s stateside. They ball outside and all want to be “Messi”.
Personally, I think him coming to this league is anything but “sad”.