Messi's Icy Triumph; Inter Miami Secures Narrow Victory Over Sporting KC
Lionel Messi’s lone goal in subzero temperatures propelled Inter Miami CF to a 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Children’s Mercy Park. Despite the frigid conditions, with wind chills dipping into the negatives, Messi delivered a standout performance, scoring the decisive goal in a match that highlighted his resilience and skill.
Sporting KC, coming off a disappointing 2024 season, fielded a revamped lineup featuring new designated players Dejan Joveljic and Manu Garcia. The duo, still in the early stages of building chemistry, showed glimpses of potential but struggled to break through Miami’s defense. Sporting manager Peter Vermes acknowledged Messi’s impact, stating, “There’s one guy that can turn the game over. And he did.”
The match, played in record cold temperatures, saw both teams battling the elements as much as each other. Sporting KC made three substitutions in a single window, introducing Garcia for his club debut, while Joveljic, the team’s new striker, was subbed off. Vermes expressed optimism about the team’s future, emphasizing that the rebuild is “not years away” but cautioned that patience will be required as the new pieces gel.
Inter Miami’s victory sets the stage for the second leg of the series, with Sporting KC facing an uphill battle to advance. The match also underscored the growing stature of MLS, as Messi’s presence drew significant attention despite the harsh weather conditions. For Sporting KC, the focus now shifts to leveraging their new talent to turn around a franchise that narrowly avoided collapse in recent years.
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