HIGHLIGHTS- Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami CF - August 15, 2023

Yeah, two of the most important things to watch, Lowe and Wagner. They want Wagner to have an impact on the game going forward. Damian Lowe when they're in possession. But if Tyre Lakes play apart, Kramaski needs to be impactful in possession. Robert Taylor needs to play vertical. And Arroyo has to be very, very disciplined. Most important match in the history of Inter-Miami and in the history of Subaru Park. League's Cup semi-final underway Inter-Miami and the Philadelphia Union. They have been the most consistently excellent team in Major League Soccer this decade, the most points, the most goals scored, the fewest goals conceded since 2020. Here's a chance for Martinez! Joseph Martinez! Maybe a better option. No pressure on the ball whatsoever allows Kristoff to step into the midfield. But finally, finally, the Joseph Martinez that scored 77 goals over three years for Atlanta United. Makes a vertical run. One touch. Bang! Hits the back of the net. How do you like that, Lionel Messi? You punched the opposition in the face when the opening whistle came. They are sitting in. They're defending first. They're reacting. Now Proctor, good ball here from Wagner. Maybe still there. Flock tries to... Kristoff into the feet of Martinez. Has time to turn into Messi. Advantage play. Messi driving forward. Messi from distance! After the ball hits the back of the net. How good is this? Turn, find space. Now play forward. But someone from Philadelphia. You've got to stop Lionel Messi from 30 yards in. All he needs is a gap, a half a yard, and you're going to be picking the ball out of the back of the net. My word, what a start for Lionel Messi in his Major League Soccer career. Nine goals in six games. 2-0 Miami, here in Philadelphia. Articulated this perfectly in the pregame. That's what they do better than anyone. They play two forwards to high press the two center backs. Turn them over. Another save. Taylor's going to keep coming forward. Jordy Alba wants it behind. Jordy, and a chance for a foul! But Robert Taylor deserves a ton of credit for just keeping his composure. And again, no pressure from the defensive setup of the Philadelphia Union. Robert Taylor turning, spinning like a top in midfield. No one stops the ball. This is criminal from Jim Curtin's perspective. And then Jordy Alba, who started his run inside his own defensive third, continues that in class throughout his entire career when it comes to being in the right spot at the right time in the final third. That smile says it all. And the scoreboard says more. 3-0. Martinez, Kai Wagner, another chance to cross. He sends it in, hit it! I've really enjoyed watching Drake Callender up close. What a fantastic save. That was down and away. How quick can you get down there? But also period wide. This is a big time save from Drake Callender. He was massive in this tournament to kick things off against Cruz Azul. And in certain moments, he's been even bigger for Inter-Miami. Glissness, steps away from Campana, into Donovan. Wagner, floating it in. Oh, a flicking it off! Wagner to serve. Flicked on off of Callender. First 45 was the nightmare. The second 45 has been more of who the Philadelphia Union are. Fight for scraps. Look for half balls, half chances, set pieces. And the 36-year-old U.S. International gets it to Busquets. Now Messi. Yedlin bombing forward. Room for DeAndre Yedlin. Yedlin through. David Ruiz with Blake off his leg! Leaks come. And surely now. From Miami, catching Andre Blake coming off his leg. Ruiz to Kamal Miller. We're going to go beyond the three because of that delay. Ruiz is chopped down. Messi wants one. Won't get a chance. The final whistle. It's a Miami dream. It's a Philadelphia nightmare.