Messi has a great chance to win the MLS Cup.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL IS WIDE OPEN

If Inter Miami wins their second match against Atlanta United at 6 AM on November 3rd at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, they will advance early and have a significant advantage in preparing for the Eastern Conference playoff semi-finals, before aiming for the MLS Cup title in the 2024 season.

Messi's (right) charisma has given MLS a significant influence in the United States.

The opportunity is wide open for Messi, as Inter Miami's next opponent if they advance could be their city rivals Orlando City SC – who won 2-0 against Charlotte FC in their first MLS Cup playoff match. Both Orlando City SC and Inter Miami are considered likely to win their second matches against their respective opponents, potentially leading to a clash in the Eastern Conference playoff semi-finals. In the MLS playoff season, Inter Miami defeated Orlando City SC 5-0 and drew 0-0. Therefore, if they meet again, Messi and his teammates have a strong chance of defeating their rivals to reach the Eastern Conference playoff final.

Another advantage for Messi and his teammates is that Columbus Crew suffered a defeat at home (considered the biggest obstacle preventing Inter Miami from winning the regional title). The reigning MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew, unexpectedly lost 0-1 to New York Red Bulls, meaning they must win their remaining two matches, including the upcoming away game, to advance. If they do this, Columbus Crew could face FC Cincinnati in the semi-finals, who comfortably beat New York City FC 1-0 in their first match.

Therefore, to secure their own fate when the path to the final is wide open, Messi and his teammates need to focus all their efforts on defeating Atlanta United in the second match, so they don't need a third match, even though they'll be playing at home. This will give them time to rest and carefully analyze their next opponents.

They are about to break another record.

The Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United game at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta on November 3rd is expected to attract around 75,000 spectators, setting a record for the highest attendance at a game of the season.

Previously, according to MLS statistics, the record for the most-attended game was Inter Miami's 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City on April 14th, with 72,610 spectators. However, this record is likely to be surpassed soon, as the Mercedes-Benz Arena has expanded its capacity to its maximum when Atlanta United hosts Inter Miami. American media reports indicate that over 70,000 fans have already purchased tickets, and the remaining tickets are likely to sell out by the day of the game.

Meanwhile, Apple TV's broadcast of Inter Miami's 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on October 26th set a record for the highest number of viewers on the channel for live sports events. This was particularly noteworthy because it coincided with other major sporting events in the US, such as the Baseball World Series. Additionally, TikTok's live stream of Messi's on-field action at one point attracted over 100,000 viewers, setting a record for a single live session on the platform.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-truoc-co-hoi-lon-vo-dich-mls-cup-185241031214338726.htm