Messi's Arrival Sparks Excitement as DC United and Inter Miami Battle
DC United sought to capitalize on Lionel Messi's visit, but their loss highlighted Inter Miami's quality. This article explores the pregame scene, DC United's plans, and the fierce competition on the field.
The pregame scene outside Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday was a vibrant mix of soccer enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi. Fans donned jerseys in the light blue and white of Argentina's national team, the pink of Inter Miami, and even the purple of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. However, the notable absence was the black and red of DC United, a testament to the club's struggle to engage the Charm City market.
DC United had sought to use Messi's visit as an opportunity to woo potential fans in Baltimore, a market they've long coveted. The club moved the Miami match away from their usual home, the 20,000-capacity Audi Field, in a bid to maximize ticket sales and put themselves on display to the local community. DC are in the process of starting an MLS Next Pro team in the city and have partnered with Baltimore's government to construct a stadium for that club.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}Source: The Guardian
