FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Since arriving in South Florida 2 1/2 years ago, Lionel Messi has become the face of not only Inter Miami, but MLS and American soccer as a whole. Even in the twilight of his unparalleled career, the 38-year-old Argentine magician remains the driving force behind the league’s ambitions.
He brought new fans to the sport, won back-to-back MVP trophies, and continues to captivate audiences across the continent and around the globe.
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What he’s missing, however, is the MLS Cup trophy. But at the end of nearly nine minutes of injury time at a packed pink Chase Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Messi raised his arms in celebration at the final whistle.
In a brilliant game that his team could – and probably should – lose, Messi set up Rodrigo De Paul’s go-ahead goal in the 71st minute and added another late assist to help Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1.
Vancouver dominated much of the second half, helping offset a 1-0 deficit and creating prime chances to take the lead. But during the game, Messi accepted a gift from Vancouver player Andres Cubas and sealed the win for fellow DePaul player.
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Despite Messi’s involvement and Miami’s first-ever MLS Cup title, there wasn’t much of a championship atmosphere inside the stadium in the hours leading up to kick-off. A steady stream of tanned, pink-clad home supporters — and pale tourists in white and blue Whitecaps — streamed out of Commerce Boulevard on Fort Lauderdale’s northern edge.
Located about 35 miles north of the city where the club takes its name, the makeshift stadium has a small-era feel. The club’s temporary home — adjacent to an executive airport — remained an unpretentious spot for six seasons until the opening of the 25,000-seat Miami Liberty Park next spring as part of a $350 million mixed-use development next to Miami International Airport.
As game time approaches, the sights and sounds of a championship game begin to emerge.
The matchup features two of MLS’s three highest-scoring regular-season teams, with the Miami Heat leading the way with 81 goals in 34 games. But Vancouver’s defense allowed only 38 goals, second only to Philadelphia’s 35 and was the stingiest in the league.
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The two sides have not met in the regular season – MLS teams have only six continental matches – but did clash in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals in April. The Whitecaps easily advanced to the finals with a combined score of 5-1 in both games.
Miami was roaring into the playoffs, though, with its only hiccup coming in Game 2 of the first round against Nashville. The team scored 16 goals in four wins, including 12 goals in three home games.
Canadian former NBA star Steve Nash wore white gloves and held the trophy on the court before kickoff. Canadian and Cascadia flags flew among hundreds of Vancouver supporters in the South End.
Messi isn’t the only legend on Miami’s roster. The final marked the end of the legendary careers of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who arrived in South Florida from FC Barcelona where they celebrated numerous trophies with Messi. The fourth player in Barcelona’s quartet, soon-to-be free agent Luis Suarez, was on the bench.
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Vancouver’s high press was designed to test Miami’s ability to attack from deep. It didn’t take long for the hosts to break down the resistance – and they did so effortlessly.
It happened in the eighth minute and involved four Argentines. Messi separated two challengers and passed the ball to DePaul, who one-timed the ball to Tadeo Allende who was running into space.
When Allende broke through the penalty area, unmarked Matteo Silveti rushed into the penalty area and received Allende’s cross. The ball never got there, however, hitting the legs of retreating defender Edil Ocampo and past goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka – the first MLS Cup own goal in 15 years.
However, the Whitecaps performed better in the final 20 minutes, tightening their defense and creating three quality chances.
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Sebastian Berhalter, a set-piece specialist for his club and the United States national team, sent a free-kick from the shadows into the sun, connecting with Brian White to send a header from seven yards out into the hands of Rocco Rios Novo.
Moments later, Rios Novo blocked Emmanuel Sabi’s leaping close-range shot from Germany star Thomas Muller, whose header forced the California-born Argentinian goalkeeper to save high.
The Whitecaps were undoubtedly unhappy about falling behind, but were optimistic about the second half.
They did keep the momentum going after halftime and stymied Miami’s shaky defense. With recent U.S. national team coaches – his father Greg and current head coach Mauricio Pochettino – in attendance, Berhalter squandered a golden opportunity by firing a 25-yard free kick into the south end stands.
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Miami briefly eased its troubles when Takaoka rushed out of position and Messi’s header went just wide.
Vancouver’s possession and pressure paid off in the 60th minute. With his back to goal at the top of the box, White expertly took Sabi’s pass to Ali Ahmed on the left, sending a 16-yard shot past Rios Novo’s hands, kissing the inside of the near post before falling into the back of the net.
The Whitecaps nearly took the lead two minutes later. Sabi’s 17-yard shot hit the right post, bounced along the goal line and hit the left upright. Sabi caught Miami’s deflection and struck again at the left post.
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The near miss was costly and with everything seemingly going the Whitecaps’ direction, Cubas handed the ball away to Messi. DePaul’s gut told him to run. Messi’s perfectly weighted ball met the midfielder in stride and fired into the far corner from 10 yards out.
After the goal celebration, fans serenaded their hero, chanting “Messi! Messi!”
In the final stages of the game, the Whitecaps’ desperation posed little threat to an equalizer. Messi then passed the ball to Allende, helping the team win the final victory.
Soon after, Messi became MLS Cup winner for the first time – the 46th trophy in a perfect career that he doesn’t seem ready to end anytime soon.
