Messi and Inter Miami are set to clash with the Union in the Leagues Cup semi-finals as they travel to Philadelphia today.

The winner, runner-up, and third-place finisher of the Leagues Cup will all earn automatic berths in the CONCACAF Champions League. This means that the victor of this match will secure a definite spot in the competition, while the losing team will still have a chance in the third-place match on Saturday.

Tonight!! Winners of these semi-final matches book a place in next years CONCACAF Champions Cup. https://t.co/hmig2sjpIu
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) August 15, 2023

The team emerging as the tournament champion will directly qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16. Meanwhile, the runner-up and third-place teams will gain entry into the first round of the CCL.

In addition to the CONCACAF Champions League qualification, teams also have a financial motivation to perform well. Prize money, said to total $40 million, will be distributed, although this amount hasn’t been officially verified.

Inter Miami’s adept navigation of the MLS regulations to reshape its roster, placing Messi at the core

Getting a firm grasp on the complex web of roster regulations in the MLS proves to be a formidable task, particularly when integrating prominent figures such as Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and three up-and-coming prospects.

Tom Bogert has thoroughly examined the logic underpinning Inter Miami’s strategy and has delved into the reasons behind the heightened attention and scrutiny from different sectors within the league. Dive into his comprehensive analysis in the article below.

Evaluating the Inter Miami kit.

There’s an underlying sense of imbalance with Inter Miami. It appears that football takes a back seat, almost as if David Beckham prioritized establishing a brand and then attached a football club to it, rather than the conventional approach. The inclusion of Lionel Messi and the selection of the pink home kit both align with this concept. This isn’t to criticize the shirt or the color pink, but it seems that these choices were made to enhance the brand’s commercial appeal.

In contrast, the away kit appears to deviate from this trend, resembling a genuine football shirt rather than one of eleven mobile advertisements. The pink serves as a harmonious contrast against the dominant black body of the shirt.

Overall Rating: 8/10.

Historical Performance Metrics: Inter Miami vs Philadelphia Union

These two teams have crossed paths on eight previous occasions. The inaugural meeting occurred during the group stage of the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament, while the subsequent matchups unfolded within the context of regular season contests.

The Union hold the upper hand, having clinched four victories in contrast to Miami’s two, with an additional two matches culminating in draws:

July 15, 2020: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Inter Miami
September 28, 2020: Philadelphia Union 3-0 Inter Miami
April 25, 2021: Philadelphia Union 1-2 Inter Miami
July 26, 2021: Inter Miami 1-1 Philadelphia Union
May 19, 2022: Philadelphia Union 0-0 Inter Miami
July 14, 2022: Inter Miami 1-2 Philadelphia Union
March 5, 2023: Inter Miami 2-0 Philadelphia Union
June 25, 2023: Philadelphia Union 4-1 Inter Miami

Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami will serve as the focus of an upcoming Apple TV+ series

A brand-new documentary series on Apple TV+ is set to spotlight Lionel Messi’s transition to Inter Miami. This recently revealed project promises to offer “unprecedented access,” granting viewers an insider’s perspective into Messi’s arrival in Miami.

Sharing his excitement, Messi remarked, “I’m delighted to be joining Miami and becoming part of such an exceptional group of individuals and an organization. My goal is to contribute, compete, achieve victory, and contribute to the club’s ongoing expansion. Moreover, I anticipate enjoying ourselves immensely and witnessing remarkable occurrences.”

Produced by Smuggler Entertainment for Apple, the series remains unnamed and is a collaborative effort with Major League Soccer. Apple holds the role of the official broadcast partner for Major League Soccer, committing a substantial $2.5 billion over the upcoming decade, as initiated in the preceding year’s June.

Apple extended an offer to Messi involving a revenue-sharing arrangement linked to the surge in new subscribers stemming from his transfer.

Standings for Top Scorers in the Leagues Cup

Being able to consistently score in every match significantly improves your chances of winning the Golden Boot accolade!

Here’s a rundown of the latest goal standings:

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: 8 goals
Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Minnesota United FC: 7 goals
Denis Bouanga, LAFC: 6 goals
German Berterame, Monterrey: 5 goals
Brandon Vazquez, FC Cincinnati: 5 goals
Robert Taylor, Inter Miami: 4 goals
Daniel Gazdag, Philadelphia Union: 4 goals

Messi has shown unwavering determination

Lionel Messi’s performance history with Inter Miami showcases a consistent series of matches where he has managed to score in every appearance:

On July 21 against Cruz Azul: 1 goal
On July 25 against Atlanta United: 2 goals, 1 assist
On August 2 against Orlando City: 2 goals
On August 6 against FC Dallas: 2 goals
On August 11 against Charlotte FC: 1 goal

Inter Miami’s progression to the quarter-finals: Reaching the quarter-final stage

Inter Miami revisited DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale as they clashed with Charlotte FC in the quarter-finals. This encounter unfolded far more smoothly in comparison to the chaotic 4-4 draw against FC Dallas in the previous round.

While Messi’s streak of scoring within the initial eight minutes of matches he started was interrupted at three, Josef Martinez successfully procured an early advantage for Miami through a penalty kick in the 12th minute.

Following this, goals from Robert Taylor and an own goal accredited to Adilson Malanda propelled the hosts to a comfortable 3-0 lead. Finally, in the 86th minute, Messi found the net, securing a straightforward 4-0 triumph and confirming their place in today’s semi-finals.

Today’s intended location

Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, Subaru Park has a soccer seating capacity of 18,500. Opened in 2010, it serves as the home turf for both the Philadelphia Union and Philadelphia Union II. Since its establishment, Subaru Park has exclusively hosted Philadelphia Union matches, barring a few games at Lincoln Financial Field during its construction phase. Positioned alongside the Delaware River, the stadium offers a waterfront view to its spectators.

While the MLS features only three stadiums with smaller capacities, including Inter Miami’s DRV PNK, Subaru Park consistently achieves the highest percentage of attendance. This fact explains the swift sellout of tickets for today’s game.

To meet the high demand, the Philadelphia Union has devised a comprehensive three-phase strategy to expand the stadium’s capacity: first to 20,000, then to 27,000, and ultimately to 30,000 seats.

In the impending clash between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Lionel Messi’s impact on the game. His presence has transformed Inter Miami’s dynamics, and as the teams meet, fans and enthusiasts alike will be eager to witness the outcome. The encounter holds the promise of a compelling showdown, with Messi’s influence potentially tipping the scales in favor of Inter Miami.

We will be back soon for the result, follow us on social media and stay connected!

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