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In a significant development for Major League Soccer (MLS), the league has witnessed a shift in dynamics regarding its participation in Concacaf competitions since its inception in 1996. Notably, the majority of these matches historically lacked the gravitas that typically characterizes elite tournaments like the UEFA Champions League or Copa Libertadores.
This year, however, marked a turning point, largely attributed to the influence of Lionel Messi. Inter Miami’s journey to the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup has infused a sense of prestige into matches, transforming every appearance into a high-stakes event. Whether it was their chilly encounter in the first round against Sporting Kansas City or their significant matchup at Jamaica’s national stadium, the presence of Messi has elevated the spectacle. This trend continued with a matchup against LAFC earlier this month, which attracted numerous celebrities to the stands.
The excitement reached new heights during the recent Leg 1 match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at B.C. Place, where Miami suffered a 2-0 defeat. Despite a challenging 15-day window to promote the match after defeating Pumas UNAM, the Whitecaps succeed in drawing a packed crowd of 53,837 fans.
When it comes to creating buzz, few athletes, particularly in soccer, draw as much public interest as Messi. His presence alone is not something that can easily be replicated by MLS, Concacaf, or individual clubs. Nevertheless, the heightened profile that Messi has brought to continental games provides valuable lessons on audience engagement for the league and its franchises as they strive to enhance soccer’s appeal both in North America and beyond.
MLS Must Embrace Talent in Key Matches
Messi represents an exceptional case in many respects, particularly when considering the vast impact he has had on the league. He stands as a significant figure who consistently delivers competitive results, aligning his performance with the high expectations that accompany his name. While other marquee players have graced the league, their impact often falls short due to various constraints related to roster rules that necessitate sacrificing depth for star power. Consequently, many prominent footballers in MLS have not participated in continental tournaments.
For instance, legends like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, and David Villa had stints in MLS, yet none participated in Concacaf matches during their time in the league.
The difference for Messi lies in his popularity and ability to attract quality players who are willing to join him on more favorable contracts, enhancing Miami’s roster.
Home Field Advantage and Competitive Dynamics
An interesting aspect of Messi’s away matches in Concacaf is that, despite stadiums reaching full capacity in cities like Los Angeles and Vancouver, the home teams still maintained a vibrant home-field advantage. This trend also appears in league play, exemplified by the Columbus Crew’s decision to shift a match against Miami to Cleveland. This move drew a remarkable crowd exceeding 60,000 fans, nearly triple the usual attendance at their home ground.
For clubs in smaller markets unable to sign superstars like Messi, there’s still an opportunity to harness the increased fan engagement by delivering strong performances against high-profile opponents. Matches where Messi competes against lesser-ranked teams often lose the ‘away’ feel, shifting to a more neutral atmosphere in those instances.
The Value of Aggregate Goal Formats
Throughout Inter Miami’s encounters against LAFC and Vancouver, the intense suspense of each match stemmed from the significance of every goal, as the tournament employs a two-match, aggregate goals format similar to prestigious competitions like the Champions League.
Miami illustrated this perfectly in their recent series against LAFC, winning 3-2 after a loss in the away match but recovering with a strong home performance. Historically, portions of the MLS Cup Playoffs have utilized aggregate scoring. However, under the current partnership with Apple TV, the league has shifted to an unconventional best-of-three series format for initial playoff rounds, transitioning to single elimination for later stages.
While single-elimination matches hold merit—especially in utilizing standings for home-field advantage—observations from the current Concacaf Champions Cup should encourage decision-makers at Apple TV to reconsider the aggregate goal approach, which consistently delivers a higher level of excitement than the best-of-three format.
Source
www.forbes.com