FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — This is not how it was supposed to end, with Lionel Messi and the top-seeded Inter Miami exiting the MLS playoffs in the first round. But that is what happened on a Saturday night that left the home crowd at Chase Stadium stunned and silent.

All the pressure was on Messi and Inter Miami as they tried to keep their ...Read more

MIAMI — It all comes down to this for Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates: Beat Atlanta United at home Saturday night and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, as expected, or exit in the first round in what would be perceived as a massive failure for the most-hyped and highest-paid team in league history.

Miami entered the ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Union have fired manager Jim Curtin, the team announced Thursday.

The Oreland, Pa., native’s 10 years in charge made him the longest-tenured manager by far in Union history, and the second-longest-tenured in Major League Soccer through this past season. This year ended with the team’s first failure to make the playoffs ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Anyone who remembers Alexi Lalas from his playing days remembers the unruly shoulder-length red hair, thin headband and bushy goatee. They remember him traveling across Europe carrying little more than a backpack and guitar.

He was soccer's version of Bill Walton, minus the tie-dyed T-shirts and penchant for listening to the ...Read more

MIAMI — Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were considered locks to advance from the opening round of the MLS playoffs. They had secured the Supporters’ Shield in record-breaking form, racking up more points than any team in league history. Their 79 goals were the most in the league, by far.

Messi was coming off back-to-back hat ...Read more

Tata Martino addressed the Neymar-to-Inter Miami rumors Friday morning, as his team prepared to travel for Saturday’s playoff game against Atlanta United.

Speculation that the Brazilian superstar might someday join former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba intensified this week after Neymar bought a ...Read more

ATLANTA — The clock is ticking down for Atlanta United. Its season of underachievement and disappointment may be reduced to one final match, Saturday against uber-team Inter Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Saturday is Game 2 of the best-of-three series of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Atlanta United is down 1-0, and only a magnificent ...Read more

MIAMI — When Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates arrive at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday for Game 2 in their first-round MLS playoff series, they should be prepared to find a fired-up crowd of 70,000 fans and a fearless, upset-minded opponent.

Atlanta United opened the stadium to full capacity for the game, anticipating ...Read more

MIAMI — Is Neymar headed to Inter Miami?

Once upon a time, that would have seemed ludicrous. Not anymore.

Whispers that the Brazilian soccer superstar might someday join former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba grew to louder rumblings in recent days after Neymar bought a $26 million waterfront ...Read more

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Sometimes sports make evolutionary steps forward, and you might have watched one begin Friday night as Lionel Messi started his first MLS playoffs at Chase Stadium. Or maybe you simply watched the Messi-centric filter on TikTok.

However you prefer him, as international sports icon or dedicated social-media star, Messi ...Read more

MIAMI — It remains to be seen whether Lionel Messi will lift an MLS Cup trophy with his Inter Miami teammates or win league MVP, but one thing is certain: The Argentine legend will finish the 2024 season as the highest-paid player in MLS history, according to the latest league salary guide from the MLS Players Association, which was released ...Read more

MIAMI — The MLS playoff stage is set for Lionel Messi and his supporting Inter Miami cast, who are in the spotlight as they kick off the postseason as the top seed at home Friday night against Atlanta United.

Atlanta squeaked into the Eastern Conference wild-card game with the ninth and final slot and beat CF Montreal in a thrilling match ...Read more

MIAMI — Get ready to see, hear, and even smell Messi Mania as Argentine icon Lionel Messi and top-seeded Inter Miami kick off the MLS playoffs at home Friday night.

If you think Messi has been showing up in a lot of commercials and headlines all season, brace yourself. The Messi marketing push just went into overdrive with the launch of a ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Back when the San Diego Wave were deep into a victory drought that would exceed four months, I wrote they’d eke out a playoff berth.

My prediction stands now as a shanked shot.

Saturday’s 4-1 road loss to the Kansas City Current dropped the Wave to 5-13-7 this season and ensured San Diego won’t be the subpar team that gets ...Read more

MIAMI — In a storybook ending to his already remarkable first full MLS season, Lionel Messi scored a hat trick over the span of 11 minutes after coming off the bench in the second half to lead Inter Miami to a 6-2 win over the New England Revolution in the regular season finale on Saturday.

He electrified the Chase Stadium home crowd with a ...Read more

Supporters’ Shield? Check.

Top seed and home field advantage for the MLS playoffs? Check. Check.

Heading into the regular-season finale against the New England Revolution Saturday, Inter Miami has already established itself as the team to beat in the MLS Cup race.

But there is one regular-season prize still up for grabs: the MLS points ...Read more