Lionel Messi in Nashville? How Nashville SC could host Inter Miami in Leagues Cup final
Nashville SC is two wins from a Leagues Cup title.
The club is also one game away from a chance to host Lionel Messi.
Nashville SC is one of four teams left in the Leagues Cup, a competition comprised of teams from MLS and Mexico's Liga MX. Nashville has won against FC Cincinnati, Club America and Minnesota United so far in the knockout stage. On the left side of the bracket, Nashville will face Monterrey in the semifinals Tuesday.
A force of world soccer is looming in the right side of the bracket. Inter Miami, which added international star Messi before the start of the competition, faces Philadelphia Union in the other quarterfinal.
What needs to happen for Messi to make the trip to Nashville?
What has to happen for Nashville SC and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami to face off in the Leagues Cup final?
Nashville SC beat Minnesota United 5-0 Friday to advance to the semifinal round, and Miami beat Charlotte FC 4-0 to also reach the semis. For Nashville SC and Miami to face off, they need the same outcome in the next round. Meaning, if Nashville SC loses and Miami loses, a third-place game will take place at GEODIS Park. If both teams win, the championship will be hosted in Nashville.
Would Nashville SC host Messi, Inter Miami?
Nashville SC would host a Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami by virtue of Nashville's superior 2022 record. The final is scheduled for Aug. 19.
What's the likelihood of all this happening anyway?
Nashville won in penalties against Liga MX top-of-the-table side Club America earlier this week, so it has shown the ability to win against any team. As for the semifinal matchup, Monterrey has historically been one of the top clubs in Liga MX and has four wins in four matches in the competition.
In short, the semifinal matchup will be a challenge for Nashville SC, even at home.
Messi's Inter Miami also will face a challenge at the Philadelphia Union in the semis. Philadelphia has been very difficult to beat at home in recent seasons under Jim Curtin.
Why should fans care about this?
Nashville will play at Inter Miami on Aug. 30, but is not scheduled to face Inter Miami at home. So unless Inter Miami (currently last in the East) somehow make the MLS Cup playoffs and get matched up with Nashville SC, this could be the only chance to see Messi at GEODIS Park this year.
Say Messi vs. Nashville ends up happening. How much will fans need to shell out for tickets?
Tickets would not go on sale for a Leagues Cup final until after the semifinals on Tuesday.
As of 3 p.m. Friday, face-value tickets sold by Inter Miami for the team's quarterfinal game against Charlotte start at $170, while resale tickets start at $130 plus fees. That's a big number compared to Nashville SC, which is selling tickets to its match against Minnesota starting at $30.25.
Given that a potential Nashville-Inter Miami match would be in a cup final with the presence of Messi, tickets are likely going to be pricey.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC could face Lionel Messi in Leagues Cup final. Here's how
