The Messi circus arrives in Denver for the first and perhaps only time this Saturday. Mile Hi stadium and altitude along with 60K plus fans will be greeting Inter Miami with a good chance an overwhelming number are there only because of Messi. Inter sits in 3rd in the Eastern Conference on 12 points, with their three wins coming on the road. The Rapids are 6th in the Western Conference having won their three home matches by at least two goals. Although this is a home match for the Rapids it may at times feel like an away match at times given the Messi mania in the stands. Inter will have an interim coach - Guillermo Hoyos - as Javier Mascherano has resigned for “personal reasons.”
On one hard, there is a certain fun novelty attending a game at nu-Mile High with a +60k crowed. It'll remind me of formative years as a Rapids fan. On the other hand, I hate the Messi circus and everything it stands for. I also hate all the extra security BS the supporters have to deal with for this specific match. It's really a "home" game in name only. My anticipation rating for this game is letsgetthisoverwith/10. Hopefully Miami's dressing room is in disarray with the coaching departure and we capitalize on it.
I hope there is goals and people are entertained and maybe the Rapids gain some fans. Rapids win 4-3 I hope, but my head says they loose 3-2.
I went to the Summit opener. Great excitement, but a 0-0 tie. Ugh. A 2-2 tie will satisfy only one team, the one that scores late. That will be the Rapids with Yapi getting the equalizer. Ole.
Tomorrow’s player availability report for our game against Inter Miami.#COLvMIA | @TheRamosLawFirm pic.twitter.com/g0n9V7MPWD— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) April 17, 2026
Matt Wells says he's focused on his team playing their way, not the star power of the opponent: "I firmly believe if we have that right intention, we can dominate the game." pic.twitter.com/UGcwut0Ec4— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) April 17, 2026
Lineup graphics are out for both teams. Messi is starting. MLS app has a 4-2-3-1 for Miami and a 4-4-2 for Colorado. Thoughts? Predictions? pic.twitter.com/hGHJ7CMl5g— Burgundy Wave (@Burgundywave) April 18, 2026
Messi does Messi things and Rapids lose 3-2. A lot to complain about, but isn't that always the case? I'm happy with the 2 goal comeback even though it ended with a loss.
I’m out of town and didn’t watch the match. I’m guessing the overwhelming majority of the fans were there for Messi, is that the way it was? Any other observations about the game in general?
Playing out of the back like we do feels like its not getting us what we need, but Wells is committed to it.
What an amazing atmosphere and experience to be a part of. Messi did not disappoint and truly thrilled the majority of those in attendance who were there to see the g.o.a.t. Rapids fans sounded great and it was exciting for all who had the privilege of being part of history. Second largest MLS attendance all time! I personally was hoping for Rapids to tie it in the final minutes, especially being up a man. The goals from Navarro and Yapi were incredible, but not to be outdone was the Messi game winning GOLAZO! Scored and celebrated right in front of me, which as a Messi and Argentina fan was a dream come true to witness that greatness in person. As for Rapids, there is much to be encouraged about. That Lucas Herrington kids is legit - we will get a lot of money for him eventually. Our pressing and passing game looked really good and the new guy Giorgi is a great pickup. Wayne Frederick looks quite impressive as well. Anyways… such a fun game to be at. Probably my second or third favorite game ever live for me. Even though Rapids lost, it seemed like a major win for soccer in Colorado and I bet many of those in attendance will show up at more Rapids games this season and beyond.
I am glad it was a fun game. I wish I was there. Most of all, I am happy to be smart, albeit with poor grammar.
We lost this game more than Miami won. We make too many mistakes in the back and it pretty much sets our ceiling as a mid-table team. Thus far this year we've shown we can beat up weaker opponents, but struggle to translate our success against sides in the top half of the table. I'm irritated we lost mostly because Miami really isn't a good team. They're a mediocre side that gets bailed out by moments of brilliance from Messi and an occasional helping hand from officials. It was otherwise a fine day and the club and supporters accounted for themselves well. I'm glad we likely don't have to deal with the bullshit Messi traveling circus ever again.
Just watched the replay. @Paranoid Coyote summarized the first half perfectly. Rafa's goal was the first moment of quality of the second half, just cruising through their defense and picking out his chance. Excellent pass from Herrington to set up Yapi's goal, with the nutmeg finish. Miami's back 4 were amateurish, making mistakes that U14 coaches won't tolerate. They must have been looking at Herrington and considering making him an offer at halftime. Sure, he got beaten by Messi, but who hasn't been?
I know I sound like a whiner, but was that a penalty shot foul? I don’t think it was a foul anywhere else on the field, more less a PK. Man, I ref middle school games and that’s not a foul with kids. Of course, kids wouldn’t dive. Okay, the announcers said, “There is some contact there.” Yes, soccer is a contact sport. As I wrote, I’m a whiner, but the ref saw exactly what happened and didn’t call a foul. Then he was reminded it was Miami by the video booth.
I'm with Sports Yak on that completely. Yes, it resulted from a sloppy attempt to play out of the back by Steffen, but I am convinced that it would not have been called in favor of any other opponent. And that wasn't the only example of the kind of preferential refereeing one had hoped the MLS had gotten past. If that makes me a whiner, then sign me up. Maybe I will design a Tshirt. Want one, Yak?
I think its one of those that some refs let go and others call. Honestly seeing it live I was sure it was a PK so I'm not surprised the VAR came back to it, but it wasn't as bad as I first feared.