The
MLS season for Lionel Messi is over
In front of 66,101 spectators at Bank of America Stadium,
Charlotte FC defeated Inter Miami 1-0 despite Lionel Messi's return to the
starting lineup. This was Charlotte FC's first MLS victory.
In the meaningless game on Saturday for Miami, which missed the playoffs, Messi served as captain
and played the whole 90 minutes and beyond on artificial turf. But Charlotte
faced serious repercussions from the game. The second-year team made the MLS playoffs
for the first time thanks to a victory and other outcomes.In the 13th minute,
Kerwin Vargas scored the game's lone goal, but Miami came dangerously close on
multiple occasions to tying the score, which would have ruined Charlotte's
chances of making the postseason.
In the 13th minute, Kerwin Vargas scored the game's lone goal, but Miami came dangerously close on
multiple occasions to tying the score, which would have ruined Charlotte's
chances of making the postseason.
At the start of the second half, Messi had a goal disallowed for offside after having a free kick
stopped onto the post in the 62nd minute. Then, in a thrilling conclusion,
Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina produced a number of outstanding save to
deny Miami entry.Charlotte earned the final playoff slot in the Eastern
Conference by placing ninth, and will play the New York Red Bulls in a
wild-card game.
When Messi and fellow ex-Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba arrived in Miami in
July, the team was 15th and last in the Eastern Conference. Miami finished 14th
with 34 points from 34 games. Since Messi joined the team, the team has gone
winless in league play (four wins, four loses, and four draws) over its final
six games.
The team's demanding schedule, according to Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata"
Martino, led to fatigue toward the end of the season.
Martino remarked through an interpreter, "We had three tournaments and won one." Team
members were worn out. That is not an excuse. That is the truth.
In Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, Miami and Charlotte also competed on Wednesday, drawing 2-2. After
scoring both goals for Argentina in its 2-0 victory over Peru in a World Cup
qualifying match on Tuesday night, Messi sat out of Miami's final home MLS
match on Wednesday.
When Inter Miami plays two exhibition games in China on November 5 and November 8, Messi, the
seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and top player in the world, is also anticipated
to play in the team's colors. It will be the first time Inter Miami travels
outside of the country. Argentina will play two more World Cup qualifying
matches on November 16 and November 21, following which Messi will likely enjoy
a lengthy break before Inter Miami starts planning for 2024.
In 14 games for Inter Miami this season, Messi scored 11 goals. The team's record during those
contests was 8-2-4, with seven of those games occurring during the team's quest
to capture its first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup title. He also made five MLS
appearances, starting three of them, and contributed one goal.
Messi participated in one U.S. Open Cup semifinal, but his season was cut short by a leg injury,
therefore eliminating Inter Miami's prospects of making the semifinals. Since
Messi joined the team, Miami has played seven games and is currently 1-3-3. On
October 7 against Cincinnati, he was able to enter the game as a substitute,
but Inter Miami's 1-0 loss ensured their postseason elimination.