As Sporting Kansas City prepares to play Miami on Saturday night in the Major League Soccer, head coach Vermes has all but conceded that he does not have a strategy in place to stop the Argentine World Cup winner. An unprecedented 70,000 spectators are anticipated at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, he continued, adding that several of his players had never performed in front of so many people.
WHAT PETER VERMES SAID
On Thursday, Vermes said, per the Miami Herald: “There are guys (on SKC) who have never played in front of a crowd that size. But at the end of the day, we have a game to play. I’ve watched (Messi) play since he was very young. I don’t know any team or any coach that has ever devised a game plan that has nullified his unbelievable qualities.”
THE LARGER IMAGE
Messi is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time and will go down in history as such. The 36-year-old’s relocation to Miami has greatly increased league attendance, viewership, and revenue. Furthermore, those like Vermes are aware of the veteran’s continued excellence despite the fact that he is nearing the end of his career.
Next?
Miami’s next MLS encounter comes at home against Nashville the following Saturday, and the following weekend they go to New England Revolution on the road.
