On a momentous Saturday evening at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Sporting Kansas City (2-2-4, 10 points) experienced a narrow 3-2 defeat against Inter Miami CF (4-2-3, 15 points). The event not only marked the 28th anniversary of Kansas City's first MLS game but also set attendance records with 72,610 spectators, the largest crowd for a soccer match in Missouri's history and the third-largest for a regular MLS game.
The electric atmosphere reached a peak as fans witnessed a dynamic match that tipped in favor of the visiting team. Sporting's midfielder Erik Thommy delivered a dazzling performance, scoring twice, but it wasn't enough to overcome Miami's attack spearheaded by Lionel Messi, the 2023 FIFA Ballon d’Or winner, who contributed with a goal and an assist. Additional goals from Diego Gomez and Luis Suarez secured the victory for Miami.
Sporting Kansas City showed signs of a strong comeback with consecutive multi-goal games for the first time since 2000. They aim to recover from this setback on April 20th when they face rivals St. Louis City SC at Children’s Mercy Park.
The match also highlighted some strategic shifts for Sporting, as Manager Peter Vermes, overseeing his 567th game, introduced changes to the lineup. Andreu Fontas returned from injury, replacing Robert Voloder, while Alan Pulido was named in the starting eleven after a brief absence. The match unfolded with thrilling early exchanges, where Thommy quickly put Sporting ahead, only for Miami to equalize through a well-coordinated effort from Messi and Gomez.
As the game progressed, Messi's brilliance shone through, giving Miami the lead early in the second half. However, Thommy's spectacular volley briefly restored parity before Suarez's decisive close-range finish sealed the game for Miami. Despite late efforts, Sporting could not equalize, setting the stage for their upcoming matches and hinting at the excitement expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled at Arrowhead Stadium.
This match not only emphasized the quality and intensity of top-tier soccer in the MLS but also celebrated a significant milestone in Kansas City's sporting history, witnessed by a record crowd.
