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John Romano: No goals for Lionel Messi, but the memory of a lifetime for Tampa Bay

Sports / Soccer /

TAMPA, Fla. — Officially, it was a soccer friendly. A random, meaningless exhibition game between two teams with neither roots nor rationale for spending a Friday night in Tampa Bay.

And yet, standing above the tunnel leading from the locker room to the field in Section 118, it felt more like a religious experience. A pilgrimage in pink.

...Read more

Julio Aguilar/Getty Images North America/TNS

Crowd of 42,000 in Tampa show Messi love on Valentine's Day as Inter Miami ties Orlando

Sports / Soccer /

A crowd of 42,000 showed up at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., Friday night for Inter Miami’s final preseason game against Orlando City and based on the sea of pink No. 10 shirts, many of the fans were there to show love for Lionel Messi on Valentine’s Day.

They saw an entertaining game that ended in a 2-2 tie. The Miami equalizer was...Read more

What you should know as Inter Miami wraps up preseason vs. Orlando City in Tampa Friday

Sports / Soccer /

MIAMI — The preseason rehearsals end Friday night in Tampa for Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates, who will face MLS rival Orlando City at Raymond James Stadium.

Messi is expected to play at least 45 minutes, and it will likely be similar for the other key starters, as they must preserve energy and not risk injury heading into a ...Read more