FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Na serious matter wey dey ground as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez go play their last regular season match together for Major League Soccer (MLS) on Decision Day, wey be Saturday, Oct. 18. No be small thing o! Messi, wey don conquer world as Argentina World Cup champion, fit lock up the MLS Golden Boot while e dey prepare to face dem at GEODIS Park by 6 p.m. ET.
Wetin make dis match sweet be say Messi don dey expected to sign multi-year extension to remain with Inter Miami. Busquets and Alba na the first ex-Barcelona stars wey join Messi for Inter Miami since July 2023, and dem dey regarded as two of the best wey don ever play for their positions. But wahala dey! Dem don announce say dem go retire at the end of this season. Suárez wey just score 600 goals last week against Atlanta United, also gree say he wan retire with Messi. E still dey unclear if he go re-sign or just hang boot.
As e stand now, Inter Miami no go fit win MLS Supporters’ Shield for second consecutive season (dem don secure am before), but MLS Cup na the real prize wey dem dey eye. Dis na the only trophy wey still dey miss for their collection since Messi land for July 2023. E fit define their legacies for MLS, no be their legendary careers o! Two-time Golden Boot winner, Bradley Wright-Phillips don talk sey, “You can’t assemble the Avengers, and not win MLS Cup.” (He shouldn dey watch too much Marvel movies!)
Dax McCarty wey help create one of the biggest playoff upset for history of the league talk sey, “No matter how you want to look at his time in Major League Soccer, if e end without winning MLS Cup, e go face judgement.” E go hard for Messi for this league, but e still dey true say some legends no win cup but dem no lose their shine. Kaylyn Kyle wey carry bronze with Canada women’s national team for the 2012 Olympics still affirm say Messi legacy no go spoil if he no lift MLS Cup. “E go be the first person wey win MLS MVP back-to-back and still win Golden Boot dis year.”
As for the stats, Messi dey lead MLS with 26 goals, Denis Bouanga dey follow with 24 goals and Sam Surridge dey carry 23 goals. E don get 18 assists, wey dey tie with Andres Dreyer from same MLS for the league high. If Messi fit gather 49 total goal contributions dis season, e go touch Carlos Vela’s record for LAFC. Dis match wey dey come be like match of the year for Inter Miami, no team for the U.S. don play pass dem dis season, with 57 matches wey include preseason.
Dem don miss three trophies this season, but at least dem go play one match per week till postseason finish, no matter how e go be. Sacha Kljestan, wey don dey watch their performances talk sey, “I see this season as their last dance. Dem fit still come out with something no matter wetin happen.” But still, McCarty remind us sey, “If you be Lionel Messi, na win everything wey you dey compete for.” Omo! E go hard oh!
This Decision Day no dey lack tension, as two young USMNT players go still dey fight to keep their seasons alive. All teams go dey play for dis Day, no be small jolly jolly. Last year wey don pass, D.C. United wey get Christian Benteke end their MVP-caliber campaign for heartbreak. As we dey look forward to this year, the Eastern Conference don set, but as for the West, na four teams dey fight for two play-in spots.
Dis fight go be something wey Mauricio Pochettino go dey use to take note of players for pressure-filled moments. So, make we sit down and enjoy the show! Who you tink go carry the day? Na Messi and him squad or other teams go surprise us? E be like say dis season go spicy like jollof rice with sharp pepper!
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