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In a night that combined the magic of Lionel Messi and the tenacity of Charlotte FC, Major League Soccer witnessed a spectacular showdown. With a massive attendance of 66,101 at the Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte FC took a significant 1-0 victory, earning them a spot in the MLS playoffs.
Messi Draws the Crowd
As expected, the global superstar Lionel Messi was the primary attraction. The Argentine, fresh off leading his national side to a 2022 World Cup title, played the full game on artificial turf for Inter Miami, a team already out of the playoff race. Fans, many sporting the iconic “Messi 10” jerseys, were in for a treat. Although he had an impressive shot denied by the crossbar and a goal canceled for offside, Messi's presence on the field was undeniable.
With 11 goals in 14 appearances for Miami this season, Messi's contributions have been substantial. However, the team's overall performance was less than stellar, registering no wins in their last six matches and maintaining an even record since Messi's addition in July.
After his remarkable performance for Argentina earlier in the week, Messi chose not to address the press post-game. His media interactions since joining Miami have been minimal, with a single availability session on August 17.
Charlotte's Triumph
On the other side, Charlotte FC had a lot riding on the game. The team, only in its second year, needed this win and some favorable outcomes from other games to secure a playoff position. Their prayers were answered when both the Chicago Fire and CF Montreal faced defeats, leaving the path clear for Charlotte.
Kerwin Vargas emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 13th minute. This triumph was especially sweet for Charlotte, given their past struggles in defending late-game goals. With an average attendance of 33,634 this season, the team ends as the second most-followed in the league.
Christian Lattanzio, Charlotte FC's coach, acknowledged Messi's magnetic draw but was quick to commend his team. He expressed immense pride in their performance and hard work, highlighting their ability to challenge the world's best.
Looking Ahead
Messi's football journey continues with two exhibition matches scheduled for Inter Miami in China on November 5 and 8, marking the team's inaugural foreign tour. Following that, he'll represent Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers later in November.
Inter Miami's coach, Gerardo Martino, reflected on the team's season, acknowledging the exhaustion due to their packed schedule. Despite winning one out of three tournaments, Martino admitted to the team's fatigue but refused to use it as an excuse.
As the 2023 MLS season wraps up, both teams, for different reasons, will carry significant memories and lessons into 2024.
