MLS Cup Final ‘Caps @ Miami
Some background on this game, we applied for credentials, and were denied. That was not my issue, in the denial it listed a title to reach out to on it, no name or email, phone, etc. I sent two emails out to the same party who sent the denial, seeking who it is that such contact should be made with, all without reply. That to me is absurd, just a simple no, would have more than sufficed, but this, without an actual contact why do that. So after finding out it would be in Miami, I booked a flight, no ok or denial yet issued, as it was just $80, I will go do some media things in the parking lot, pre game, and let it be that if not approved. The plan was to fly in, go to the venue, try to get in, do media pre game, failing that go to the World Seven Soccer event also in Ft Lauderdale. The traffic was too bad, off to the home of FT Lauderdale of the Gainbridge Super League, home to a team owned by a Long Islander, Hassan Pinto. Not on any media list, I was able to get in, a great surprise and it just got better from there. Given full access I took many photos already posted to our InstaGram, @soccerlimag as well as Facebook Page, SLIM “soccer Long Island magazine”. This attending the World Seven event was I am sure far better than the MLS Cup should it have worked out. Full access to the VIP areas, where we reconnected with Shannon MacMillan, born in the same hospital as myself, the Gainbridge Commish Amanda Vandervoort, Natalie Gaitan, past pro with Valencia, etc. Colombian WNT, now a coach with Tigres, Ally Hassan the HC of the host team a past NY Cosmos & Strikers player, Marios Sfantos of the Athens Women’s Football Summit, Michael Saunder of Women’s Football Industry and oh so many more. A quick chat with an owner of the event, Aly Wagner a broadcaster, past pro & WNT member went well, getting photos with the newly retired Ali Reily from the New Zealand WNT, etc. was terrific. All this access would not have been possible at the Final.
Just to address some statements made pregame. It was stated that this is the first MLS Cup for the ‘Caps in 15 years, yes true however they were founded in 1973, already having won a league Championship while in the NASL. It was noted that the ‘Caps are 2-0 facing Miami this year, yes but to do it thrice is as noted highly unlikely, even more so at home. What a job Muller is doing his side have gone 11-1 since his arrival. Further he is 7-3 in facing Messi having out scored him 6-3 in goals and 2-1 in assists, I am sure not many others are able to make such claims. This will mark whichever team wins, an MLS Cup winner also having a World Cup title.
As the silhouettes of the pre game fireworks smoke lingers in the shadows, the fun begins. A double team forces the visitors back and Miam is pressing. Sabbi called for a foul just inside his half. Pressure & contact on every contested ball may be the way Miami plays all game, it is over these first 2 minutes. Over the top of Vancouver then the target man is clearly tripped, no call. The Miami player has some words for his mark, and then the ref. A steal by Rodriguez over midfield then it goes back as he is met by a trio of white shirts. Allende gets free from a duo, gets off a decent try though high one on goal. No pressure on the GK with the ball at his feet? His ball out goes out. Blackmon with a foul on SIlvetti that gets called and the ‘Caps coach has a bemused smirk on his face, if that was a foul, the trip on the long ball was as well. Busquets under mild pressure passes it straight out of touch. Only four teams have beaten Miami at home this year, yes, the ‘Caps are one. Sabbi now to the top of the area to Seba, gets it back and is hit at his release , Seba for White, the GK steps up and boxed it out. Allende, whistled for a foul, DFK at 6’ from Berhalter to be delivered from about 35 yards, over the top, he has a player but the Miami backstop has the ball. Miami not being contested on their passes as an errant ball is won by them. ‘Caps defend one out in their offensive third. Messi with some nice moves, over the top of Allende who looks inside and it is an own goal off the defender who is consoled by his GK, this hurts. Ocampo had to make a play on the ball, he was behind the play as the defender on his wing let the player through , his positioning kept Allende onside. Depaul is down, no foul possibly only whistled due to the injury as the ‘Caps are protesting, not a horrible foul and not to the head. A cleat up challenge by Miami then a trip by the aggrieved player has us here. There did not appear to bae any contact by the Miami player, the trip was legit. Now the ‘Caps have the restart, why stop it the player was not down? Berhalter fouls near the center circle, the quick restart is not allowed by the ref, thing is the foul was about 10’ away so it was not started from the correct place, good call. Caution to Rodriguez at 13’ as he put Cubas down with a hard challenge. Cubas from Berhalter seems ok, Falcon with a foul. ‘Caps with it near the area a through ball to Berhalter goes over the endline. They cannot keep up with these misplays, you get but so many chances such as that. ‘Caps with a steal in their half, now to the defensive third of Miami and a few challenge for the ball ‘Caps throw. Into the area and a Miami DFK as a player is run into. Silvetti gets forward, offside well after his takes the shot, no card, the flag went up soon as the contact was made with the ball. White tosses Falcon to the floor, cautioned as a few bodies are bouncing around, he had hooked the foot of Brian. Silvetti down, no call. Miami wins another challenge in their third. Silvetti again down no call Ahmed takes on 2, loses it near the area, Cubas with a steal into the area to the head of White, too high on the ball in and the header. Too much in tight spaces and Messi steals to Allende on the endline too far behind his player and cleared out to Miami now it gets to the GK of the visitors, again he is not pressured by Miami as his defenders are once on the ball? They break the press to midfield and a foul. ‘Caps passing around a bit near midfield, Berhalter could not thread the needle to Ocampo as it is lost. Ahmed drops Depaul and is called for it. A lost challenge by the ‘Caps as the player presses his player to the right does not, and that becomes where the outlet goes. Near the endline and it bounds about, Rodriguez takes the feet out of the Miami player. DFK very deep less than 5 yard on the field, Ocampo in the area partially cleared, Sabbi goes down, but draws the whistle, hand ball as he put his support hand down DFK Miami, Messi to take it, from 25 yards, this will be on goal. Right at the GK who did not need to move, it was over the wall and on goal near the post. Miami presses, Sabbi gets a long ball and a slide tackle pouts Sabbi down it wasn’t a PK, no call, best call, only call. Messi from Busquets after a pull back lost his mark and Messi as Rodriguez goes down, again Sabbi trips and commits another handball, this one not called. Messi 1v1 with Berhalter gets past him but not the next, Miami holds, to Messi who leaves it as he was off, the ‘Caps switch fields then go back. Falcon with a steal of Muller into the area to Silvetti and out, Berhalter on defense it finds Messi partial blocked and to the GK. Down the wing, looking forward the ‘Caps pass is defended out of play now well back as they hold. Cubas top of the area looks back and it finds the feet of Messi outside to Depaul to the top of the area a huge cross to Rodriguez who leaves for Alba back to Busquets and a foul called on him for putting Sabbi to the ground. ‘Caps hold it getting forward, but the whistle blows from the foul on Ahmed by Fray, not the best of calls as it was at the endline. Berhalter over the ball, not the worst place for a DFK, but I prefer the ball at the endline, into the sun benefits this restart in a big way. less than ten yards form the top of the area headed on by White, right t othe GK. Gregg Berhalter and wife of LI are next to Sunil Gulati of Colombia Univ., past USSF Prez. He is misidentified as a World Cup winner, he and his son are the only father son duo to start an MLS Cup Final. Ahmad takes down Seba does like the call, this is why I espouse all players to take a referee course.. Rodriguez fouls and a quick restart is called back as they request 10 yards. Rodriguez has made contact with the ref, minor and was all over Ocampo. Seba at the touchline from 20 yards a pair of players down in the area, no call, ‘Caps hold and another foul by Miami as Salvetti brings down a player and the Miami bench has just been cautioned. Berhalter from a few yards upfield less than ten from the touchline. Far side of the 6, Alba heads out ‘Caps recover, what a save by Miami and Alba and the ref are face to face. The shot by Sabbi right at the chest of the GK off a great ball in from Muller, the best chance of the game and what a save by the Rio Novos, the GK, unreal. Miami with a deep throw in their end. Good ball movement then a pass to a pink shirt in the area. Each team have a player down one holding his head and play on?, his team has the ball, make the call. Muller from a ball in nods it on well placed, high but on frame and grabbed up by the GK. Once more in the area and a foul has it coming out as Muller and Depaul have some words. Lead ball for Allende and great defense but offside. Though Miami has the lead the game has been rather balanced the ‘Caps defense has otherwise held steadfast. Berhalter ahead of White and it goes out of touch, another good chance, although Brian was covered tight. Muller and White with a wall pass, broken up now ‘Caps hold. Rodriguez sent rolling and Ocampo threw an elbow, luckily it was not a red, VAR upholds the yellow, now in 2’ of added time. Laborda trips Silvetti on the endline with a high kick to the shin. Messi over the ball at 25 yards, headed on by Busquets, just over the net, an offside player on Miami as well.
The ”Caps did far better in the end of the half, but Miami holds the lead.
Both sides come out the same as they began. Now no pressure on the defense by Miami as even the GK is off his line, foul , Miami DFK, all the way back to the GK, a miskick and the pressure of White has it go out for a goal kick. It went off the inner leg of Allen and out from a kick by Brian so this should be a corner. Great ball for Berhalter, marked by Allen and he goes back its at the bottom of the circle now with speed Falcon gets cautioned for taking down but it was Busquets who tripped him up Sabbi is up a yellow is out for the ref,, issued to Falcon. Berhalter with a great location maybe 25 yards out just wide of the frame. A 4 man wall, I fully expect this to go on goal, it goes fully over the frame by a lot, he may very well want that one back, not going to happen. Miami now has a 73% chance to win the ‘Caps 8%, wow. It is now 13 years since the one trailing at the half would take the MLS Cup. Fray trips up the player who beat him, now Ahmad goes endline and goal kick as he and Falcon have some words. ‘Caps throw, endline Allen fouls as Ocampo was getting forward as he went around the player. 10 yard closer than a corner, near side of the box off the head of Silvetti and ‘Caps recover, Seba feeds Ahmad, Cubas recovers over the the top and Rios Novo knocks it down, back to the ‘Caps GK. Forward, again come the ‘Caps Ahmad too far in advance to himself and lost, now pressing the Miami back line and they win it back, a deflected pass taken by Falcon, more pressure but Alba on the wing brings it up to Silvetti and way too much on it as Segovia is ready to enter.In this 2nd half 68% of the possession has been to the visitors but just 10’ in Depaul runs into a player and Miami holds Alba plays it in Boxed out, Messi sends one in as he is still off the line, but wide, great header try by Messi. Rodrigues out for Segovia. ‘Caps GK goes right then left getting it back from each. Now on his left he gives right, near midfield for the ‘Caps. Ahmad on the wing, goes to Seba to the area for White, Muller is blocked, Sabbi from Ocampo, Messi attacking and great tackl . Falcon wins a challenge as Miami moves forward, Messi loses a pair of physical challenges. White to Muller a bit off the mark, maybe a shot? White lays it off to an open Ahmed and it is in the back of the net, 1-1 at the hour mark. Falcon was fully occupied with White, it is off the GK and the post, it is now a new ballgame. Sabbi off the post the follow up, also off the post following a double post miss. Hand ball on Miami and a pair of players get tangled up and quickly separated by the ‘Caps. Berhalter from 25 yards lofts the DKF in and it gets nodded away now back to his GK. Into the area dropped to an onrushing Ahmed and lost. Blackmon drops Silvetti and is cautioned at 66’. Priso is down a pair of changes up for his side as Miami has a throw at about 10 yards. Pupe due in. This game has again been described as the most important in the ‘Caps history, in the MLS, yes over all?, they won a Soccer Bowl in front of more fans in a far better respected league. Ahmed is out and Gould is in also out is Priso. It is being mentioned that Muller was expected to go for 70’ max. are you for real, he is going to have to be dragged off this field. Now they refer to something as the Vancouver MLS era. ‘Caps moving the ball around to no pressure, outside to Sabbi, inside Busquets clears to Messi now Depaul finds Allende on the wing, his pass was well off the mark Messi takes it back, feeds Depaul his low shot makes it in and Rios Novo is fist pumping in his goal, Beckham high 5ing people. as happens often, Miami get a player free as Depaul was feet ahead of his mark to get this ball and then, the punish you, did it to NYCFC a few time and here now. At 73’, lots of soccer to play yet. with this just being his 2nd goal, Depaul made a big one 4 months later. Messi takes a hard tackle from Cubas sent rolling as his foot was trapped and now Busquets to Cubas, Messi stays down. Messi of course taking the restart, to the top of the 6, defended over the frame. Miami hits the century mark for the first time ever in goals for a season for MLS. Messi with the corner and defended out a bit, now back to Allen. Messi has 8 assists a league record in the playoffs. Depaul to SIlvetti into the area, Berhalter breaks it up now to the Miami GK. Bright is now up to come in. Gauld hooks his mark, Silvetti out for Bright. Miami steals, ‘Caps recover, Berhalter taken down by Busquets. Depaul struck down. Ten minutes left. Not just a season will end but also the careers of Alba & Busquets. Miami being pressured in the backfield and clear it out they then win a throw. Up is Cabrera for Cubas at 82’. Bright goes endline and loses it for a goal kick. ‘Caps corner at 83, Seba again over the ball, he goes center of the 6 and it is boxed out, Messi handball out of the area. The second ball to Berhalter in and out, shot back in and high. Alba with dreams of chipping the GK is way of the mark. DePaul rocks Berhalter cautioned for it and he hears it from another. Blackmon falls. Caution to Laborda for Segovia at 86’, he took him out in the open field. David Beckham on his feet as his wife sits nearby. Busquets talking with Muller. Last minute it has been observed that Fray is all but immobile grasping at his leg. Vancouver gets forward and Fray goes down remaining down, holding his thigh yet looking to stretch his calf? Nelson on for Sabbi and Chelo for Fray. Fray exits to cheers and is limping a bit. Messi out paces his mark and gets near the top of the area on the wing, squeaks through into the area and Busquets gets it at the top of the area, far side and ‘Caps throw with 7’ of added time. Nelson plays it in Busquets away, offside Messi drops the defender. A few Mas’ and Becks next to each other standing. With 4’ the ball to the ‘Caps seem to be in no rush to get forward, another high ball is lost to Miami. Berhalter cautioned. Mas leading the cheers, Posh with her hand on the shoulder of Becks. Messi feeds what a piece of skill two touches and a lead ball to Allende who puts it home, again a player left alone, there was another by him, coach is on the field gives a kiss to Alba, Fafa out of the bench area to hug Becks. The second assist to Alba who lofted the ball in, it is 3-1 Miami. Allende now owns the post season goal record with 9. Berhalter long ball, taken away and foul by Nelson. Messi yapping at someone. Game over, season over, careers over. Messi and Suarez embrace. Picault on the field congrats given to Messi.
Again misspeaking, it was just stated the Beckham had the right to the Miami franchise as part of his player deal, no, an expansion franchise was his agreement. Mark Anthony brings out the trophy. It has just been stated Messi is the greatest athlete of all time, spare me, Jim Thorpe, Deion Sanders, Babe Didrikson Zaharias and so many other multi sport stars are far above him, it is debated if he is even the best player of his time. An all time great yes, the best, sorry.