MIAMI \u2014 For those of you waiting patiently for a sign the nonsense was done, there were drummers drumming again and chanters chanting Sunday throughout Inter Miami\u2019s 6-4 win against Philadelphia. That said enough. These select fans were finished holding their breath until they turned blue in the face.<\/p>\n
But the ultimate sign of peace in our time, that acknowledging wave these fans so coveted from Lionel Messi, will have to wait. Messi had other things on his mind Sunday night. Namely, his leg.<\/p>\n
Something in the back of a leg \u2013 some discomfort, some soreness \u2013 made him do what he never does and exit in the 73rd minute of a tie game. He stood at midfield, waiting to be replaced, then went right into the tunnel under Nu Stadium.<\/p>\n
The best-case explanation would be he didn\u2019t want to aggravate some problem on a rain-slicked field with this the last game before the World Cup break. The worst-case idea for Messi and Argentina is that it\u2019s already aggravated<\/p>\n
Either way, Messi left quickly, so here was no full closure from these approximately 1,000 fans who call themselves La Familia. A week ago, they sat in their seats, refused to cheer and re-worded an Argentinian chant in a way that said they wanted some attention with a wave or clap. Messi gave them something else \u2014 a look of displeasure.<\/p>\n
That led to a fans\u2019 meeting with club officials who wanted to cool the temperature. Angry customers, even if acting petty, aren\u2019t good for business. The fans put out a social media message saying they were good to go again.<\/p>\n
And so this was odd theatre entering Sunday. It was made odder by a game where goals fell like rain in the 4-4 first half and rain fell like an Old Testament deluge to start the second half. Messi was Messi. A couple of assists in the first half as old friend Luis Suarez had two goals. A couple of big chances. But then, suddenly, his night was done.<\/p>\n
So, what was gotten out of this past week? Hopefully that Inter Miami fans understood the larger reality. They\u2019ve been gifted the best show in MLS soccer. Does this even need to be said? They get to watch Messi. They also get his ability to bring in more stars \u2014 reportedly now the Brazilian defender Casemiro on his exit from Manchester United.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the advice: Enjoy it while it lasts. You know how many markets would trade their team to watch yours?<\/p>\n
Every single one, that\u2019s how many.<\/p>\n
But part of the bargain of getting this type of team is it\u2019s that there\u2019s more distance between fans and the big-name players. That cozy and familiar feel from previous, anonymous teams is gone. Messi is an international icon, not a Miami icon.<\/p>\n
Maybe some games that might mean you overlook small traditions like \u2014 gasp! \u2014 and a wave or directed clap to the crowd at game\u2019s end from Messi. That seems like an easy trade-off, right?<\/p>\n
Most fans\u2019 complaints in sports center around a team losing. Talk to Miami Dolphins fans and their 25 years without a playoff win. Inter Miami are the defending MLS champions and lining up for a likely repeat this season.<\/p>\n
Another common complaint is the owner doesn\u2019t spend \u2014 or spend smartly. No MLS team spends more or more smartly than the Mas brothes. They got Messi, didn\u2019t they? That changed the business of the MLS. Inter Miami\u2019s $47 million roster is tops in the league \u2014 as is their reported $300 million in revenue.<\/p>\n
So let\u2019s see. Well-run franchise. Great team. The biggest star on the soccer planet. New stadium.<\/p>\n
And some fans threw a tantrum players didn\u2019t wave or clap?<\/p>\n
The good news here is several Inter Miami players did acknowledge fans at the end with those important claps. Not Messi, of course. He was gone by the end, probably getting therapy to his leg for whatever ails it.<\/p>\n
Next stop for him: World Cup.<\/p>\n
Inter Miami don\u2019t return to play until July 22. So, thank goodness the fans are back to being fans. Two months of holding your breath would get uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
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