Miami and Messi-Mania Control Philadelphia Union in Leagues Cup

Chester, PA

August 15, 2023

“Humbled” was Coach Jim Curtin’s description of how he felt following the 4-1 Inter Miami CF victory over the Philadelphia Union Tuesday evening.  In all likelihood, most Union fans felt the same way driving home from Subaru Park.

Curtin’s starting lineup had a few changes, and looked to be defensively oriented.  Although that may have been the intent, it took a mere 4 minutes for Miami to score — and it wasn’t Messi. Sergii Kryvtsov sent a through ball past Philadelphia’s Damien Lowe that was received by Miami’s Josef Martínez.   Martínez shot in to the bottom left corner for an early Miami 1-0 start.

The second goal belonged to Lionel Messi, assisted by Martínez, whose left footed shot from over 35 yards out had pin-point accuracy to the bottom right corner of Philadelphia’s goal.

Unfortunately for the Union, there would be yet another goal before the half.  During stoppage time, Jordi Alba, assisted by Robert Taylor, successfully shot to the bottom right corner of Philadelphia’s goal.  The score was a lopsided  3-0 as the teams proceeded to the locker rooms at half-time.

Philadelphia looked much stronger in the second half.  Subbing in Mikael Uhre and Jack McGlynn at the start of the half resulted in more offense for the Union, but not enough to pull out of the 3-0 deficit.  At the 73rd minute,  Alejandro Bedoya scored after a corner rebound, raising some hope that Philadelphia could get back into the game.  But those hopes were dashed by the fourth Miami goal when David Ruíz scored off of a pass from DeAndre Yedlin.  The game ended at 4-1 in favor of Inter Miami.

Photographs of the game appear below:

Inter Miami’s Martínez on his way to the first goal in the 4th minute.

Messi shooting Miami’s goal no. 2.

And, then, Miami’s third goal from Alba. Philadelphia’s Chris Donovan defended by Dixon Arroyo.

Dániel Gazdag weaving his way between Miami defenders. Philadelphia’s Jakob Glesnes just misses the goal off of a flick from Uhre.Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan providing pressure in the late minutes of the game.