As anticipation builds for the upcoming clash in the Leagues Cup, Lionel Messi receives a stern warning from Jim Curtin, the coach of Philadelphia Union. Curtin is gearing up for the task of facing the formidable Argentine, who arrives in scintillating form.
The Leagues Cup semi-finals will witness a face-off between Inter Miami and Philadelphia Union, marking Lionel Messi’s second away appearance since his move to America.
Jim Curtin candidly discussed the imminent challenge, stating, “We look forward to hosting the greatest player in the history of the sport in our building. It’s a great match-up. We’re talking about the best player of all time coming here in the semi-final, with a trophy on the line, a spot in the Champions League on the line.”
Image: Leo Messi on his way to Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/WVHpKOpExt
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 14, 2023
Despite acknowledging Messi’s unparalleled status, Curtin articulated his squad’s readiness for the challenge. He stated, “It will be an honor to play against him, but once the whistle blows… I know our guys will give their best. It doesn’t matter who comes. If Messi comes., If Sergio Busquets comes, If Jordi Alba comes.”
Philadelphia Union promises to offer Inter Miami their most demanding test yet. With a remarkable home record of just one loss in their last 28 matches at Subaru Park, conceding less than a goal per game, they pose a significant challenge.
As the Leagues Cup final berth and a Champions League spot hang in the balance, this encounter will undoubtedly be the most formidable trial for Inter Miami since Messi’s arrival.
Philadelphia Union vs Inter Miami sold out in minutes
The fervor surrounding Lionel Messi‘s anticipated appearance in Philadelphia has triggered a rapid sellout of tickets for the upcoming semifinal match. ESPN’s report indicates that the League’s Cup Semifinals have resulted in the priciest tickets in Union history, with an average cost of $556.
For those who had secured season tickets and opted to buy throughout the entire tournament, which commenced in mid-July, the ticket price started at a modest $30.
However, in the current scenario, the most budget-friendly entry point for witnessing the showdown is a ticket priced at $530, granting access to the stadium. To provide perspective, this cost equates to a week’s take-home pay for someone earning $14 an hour.
The cheapest ticket at this hour to see @PhilaUnion play Messi and @InterMiamiCF is $530, just to be in the building. To put it in perspective, that is the weekly take home for someone who makes $14 dollars an hour. pic.twitter.com/77GbetqxEJ
— Kerith Gabriel (@sprtswtr) August 12, 2023
The Messi phenomenon has fueled a significant premium at Subaru Park, prompting enthusiasts to dish out four to five times the usual amount to witness the Argentine maestro in action. Remarkably, despite the elevated costs, tickets flew off the shelves within minutes of their release.
Ticket sales commenced at 2 p.m. on Saturday, but by 2:08 p.m., the Union declared that the match scheduled for Tuesday at Subaru Park had nearly reached full capacity, with only a limited number of standing-room-only tickets remaining.
Resales on Ticketmaster reflected the high demand. For instance, the cheapest two-ticket bundle costs $322 per ticket, coupled with additional fees, exclusively for standing room. Meanwhile, a single standing-room ticket stands as the most budget-friendly option, priced at $317 plus fees.
The enthusiasm for witnessing Lionel Messi’s appearance in America has certainly come at a price. It appears that securing the opportunity to observe the soccer icon requires both a substantial financial commitment and the rapid reflexes to snatch up tickets promptly.