Never Be Cocky || Messi Loses in First Round
Edition #190
I don’t write about soccer much, but it’s unavoidable when it gets to something like this.
In Game 3 of their Eastern Conference series at Chase Stadium on November 9th, Atlanta United eliminated Messi and Inter Miami CF in the first round of the MLS Playoffs.
The game was going in Atlanta’s favor the whole first half, but Messi came in the 2nd half and scored an equalizer. That didn’t matter, though, because, in the 76th minute, Bartosz Slisz won the game and the series with a header.
Messi had 2 opportunities to score goals with free kicks, but he missed both of them.
The winning goal was kind of controversial because Tomas Aviles was down on the field, and Miami was trying to signal the referees for treatment. That didn’t happen, basically meaning that Miami wasn’t able to defend Bartosz.
This has to be the biggest upset in MLS history. It doesn’t matter if this was only Messi’s first year. Miami was the #1 seed in the postseason. They also won the first Supporters’ Shield award, setting the MLS record for most points scored in a season.
Sure they set records… But, what makes it the biggest upset?
Atlanta finished 9th in the Eastern Conference, 34 points behind the record-setting Miami team, and barely qualified into the postseason, by clinching a wild-card berth on the final day!
Do you think it’s just Messi on this team? You have Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
What’s ironic about this is the fact that the whole Atlanta United squad is making 5 million dollars less than Messi. In total, Miami spent $41.7 million on their payroll!
Speaking of Messi, he said this after the loss, “A season ended in which we continued to grow as a club and, although we achieved some goals, we wanted more. Thanks to all the people who joined and supported us. Now let’s get ready to come back stronger next year.”
Messi was defended really well, and basically had no breathing room at all. After all, this guy had 21 goals and 17 assists on the season. He also couldn’t make things happen because there wasn’t much movement around or behind him. You also have to understand that he’s old. He’s 37.
More than that, they weren’t able to defend in transition all year. Guzan from Atlanta United was a monster, and even with some of the best players in the game, they couldn’t figure him out.
Let’s move on from the game, though.
Never Be Cocky
This is not me describing Messi (one of the most humble guys I know), but Miami reporter, fans, and even a few players.
Even when the Dodgers added Shohei Ohtani, it was only a wish for the champinship. Regardless of how good this team is, the MLB is a hard place. You got the best of the best players.
The MLS is sort of different. You don’t have the best of the best players, but okay ones, who make no mistake, can still beat great teams. That’s kind of how this Atlanta United vs Inter Miami CF matchup is.
I don’t think I saw one reporter (in the entire WORLD), give an okay opinion about the Atlanta United. I don’t think I saw one journal say that Inter Miami was going to lose. I researched this for about 2 hours.
To the fans. This happened in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and I don’t believe I saw more than 25 people supporting Atlanta. It’s the fricking MLS Cup playoffs! Everyone declared an Inter Miami win.
To the players. After talking to a few big soccer journalists, players on Inter Miami CF were automatically declaring the series win against Atlanta United, saying they had this superteam.
They were all damn wrong.
I saw this in the NFL recently, when Nick Sirriani and Kellen Moore of the Eagles basically declared the win against the Jaguars after scoring 16 points through the first 2 quarters. Well, guess what? The score became 22-16, making this an incredibly close game, ending the game 28-23.
Never Be Cocky.
New How Celebrities Impact Sports chapter on Messi and his impact on the MLS coming soon.
