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      Spring Training at Coachella: Can the M.L.S. Cash In on Its Preseason?

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      AEG, the entertainment giant, is trying to organize large-scale training camps marketed to fans, as other sports have done. Will it work?On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Dan Perkin and Scott Bissmeyer, work buddies on vacation, sat on metal bleachers watching the Portland Timbers play the San Jose Earthquakes in the first of four preseason Major League Soccer games that day.They had spent $125 each on V.I.P. day passes, which included food, drink and access to tents to keep cool. Self-described “M.L.S. road trippers,” they have visited numerous M.L.S. stadiums, and have watched teams in Tucson, Ariz., where as many as 11 clubs came together for preseason training in the past.But this year, with 12 M.L.S. teams — along with two from the United Soccer League and four from the National Women’s Soccer League — gathered at a 1,000-acre property outside Palm Springs, Calif., for preseason training, Mr. Perkin and Mr. Bissmeyer decided to check it out.“Compared to Tucson, they put on a nice operation here,” Mr. Perkin said of the site, the Empire Polo Club, best known as the annual site of the Coachella Music Festival. “If you’re going to drive six hours, we might as well treat ourselves.”Attendance was expected to grow about 40 percent this year.Dan Perkin and Scott Bissmeyer are self-described “M.L.S. road trippers.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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      David Beckham hell-bent on Inter Miami world domination as Man Utd legend reveals when he’ll know MLS club are global

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      DAVID BECKHAM is hell-bent on world domination with Inter Miami.Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, now calls South Florida home and has catapulted the club to a level of global recognition they could only have dreamed of six years ago.
      David Beckham and a group of investors bought Inter Miami in 2021Credit: AP
      Becks managed to lure footie superstar Lionel Messi to Chase StadiumCredit: GETTY
      Beckham has huge plans for the MLS franchiseCredit: GETTY
      But Beckham, fellow owner Jorge Mas and all involved in this frenzied football club are not stopping there.
      Having played at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Beckham knows what it means to be a truly big club.
      Javier Morales, the assistant manager who has been with the club since the start and played against Beckham when he played for LA Galaxy, said: “When I first spoke to David, he said he thinks this could be a big club.
      “Obviously he came from Man United and he used to play for big teams. That is his idea.
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      “He wants Inter Miami to be not just a top team not just in the country but also in the world.”
      Their ambitions are, in a very American and Miami fashion, straightforward and stratospheric. Inter Miami are aiming to become the New York Yankees of football.
      With the stardust of Messi, Beckham and the celebrities who are regulars at their Chase Stadium – Inter Miami want their pop of pink to be as recognisable as the pinstripes of the Yankees.
      And when you see Messi, having dazzled in the Major League Soccer season opener on Wednesday night, hugging Hollywood star Will Smith as he heads down the tunnel at half-time it is hard to say it is not possible.
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      Hollywood superstar Will Smith was in attendance for Inter Miami’s midweek clash with Real Salt LakeCredit: Instagram
      Xavier Asensi, one of the top figures at the club who joined after a decade on the Barcelona board, said: “Football is global, Messi and Beckham.
      “After Covid a lot of celebrities moved here, it is super well connected.
      ‘He’s just taking the p**s,’ say fans as they spot ‘savage’ Messi’s ‘disrespectful’ skill against injured opponent
      “It is a mosaic and a place that embraces and welcomes people from all over the world.
      “You have the two largest languages in use around the world here.
      “All this combined creates this aura, which gives a power if you know how to action it that the sky is the limit.
      “Do you like baseball? I don’t. But do you have a cap with the NY of the Yankees? How cool is that?
      “For me, that is the potential we have. We have the potential of the sexiness, the brand that can be a fashion.
      “We have that potential. In order to unlock that, only the best are enough.
      David Beckham recently secured the services of Luis Suarez for Inter MiamiCredit: EPA
      Becks is loving the latest chapter of his football careerCredit: AP
      “We need to surround ourselves with the best people to unlock the potential that we have as a brand.
      “This is not just football, we can go bigger and better.”
      The attitude of only the best being enough has seen Beckham’s club chase not only Messi but a trio of his former teammates from Barcelona.
      Luis Suarez was unveiled by the ex-England captain along with a fireworks display ahead of their win over Real Salt Lake, with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who struggled somewhat, also starting.
      Landing Messi was a statement of intent, proving they can compete not only with European clubs but also the emerging threat of Saudi Arabia.
      And more will follow. World Cup winner Antoine Greizmann is expected to join the club in the not-too-distant future, potentially following Messi as the biggest name once the Argentine calls it a day.
      Asensi said: “More players from Barcelona? Yeah, why not? What we want is good players and if they are coming from Barcelona, perfect.”
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      Messi made Inter Miami the most Googled sports club in the world last year and helped them embark on a world tour across pre-season, something unprecedented in MLS.
      A first League title is the expectation this season, but Beckham’s ambitions go way beyond MLS and even Messi. More

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      Seven former Premier League stars you forgot were still playing in the MLS including shock Lionel Messi team-mates

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      MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER is no longer simply a retirement home for players on their way down.American football has exploded in terms of popularity, turbocharged by the arrival of Lionel Messi, and is attracting more and more players with Premier League experience.
      Major League Soccer is stacked full of talent who have played in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Lionel Messi is the face of MLS footballCredit: AFP
      It’s not hard to see why Messi is a key selling point for stars considering the incredible skill he pulled off in Inter Miami’s season opener against Real Salt Lake.
      As the 2024 season gets underway in Miami this week, SunSport takes a look at some former Prem players making a living Stateside.
      Luis Suarez, Inter Miami
      Former Liverpool star Luis Suarez joined Inter Miami ahead of this seasonCredit: Reuters
      A Liverpool great, Suarez has joined the Barcelona tribute act at David Beckham’s Inter Miami, alongside Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
      The club is even managed by former Barca boss Tata Martino.
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      This year is Suarez’s first in MLS as the South Florida side look to back up their first ever trophy, last season’s Leagues Cup, with a tilt at winning the MLS Cup in 2024.
      He starred alongside Messi and co during Inter Miami’s 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake but failed to get on the scoresheet.
      Hugo Lloris, Los Angeles FC
      Hugo Lloris left Tottenham in December to head to the StatesCredit: AFP
      The French World Cup winner, 37, is also gearing up for his first season in MLS.
      Lloris made an emotional exit from Tottenham in December having failed to secure a move away from North London last summer.
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      LAFC, who are part-owned by Hollywood star Will Ferrell, joined MLS in 2018 and won last season’s Play-Offs.
      Victor Wanyama, CF Montreal
      Former Southampton and Spurs star Victor Wanyama has been in the MLS since 2021Credit: Alamy
      The Kenyan midfielder made his name in English football with Southampton and Tottenham before heading to MLS.
      ‘He’s just taking the p**s,’ say fans as they spot ‘savage’ Messi’s ‘disrespectful’ skill against injured opponent
      Wanyama, who starred for Celtic before moving to the Premier League, now has more than 100 appearances for Canadian side CF Montreal.
      While Montreal have not threatened to win much in MLS, Wanyama did win the Canadian Cup in 2021.
      Christian Benteke, DC United
      Christian Benteke joined DC United under Wayne RooneyCredit: Getty
      The former Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace striker could be unplayable on his day in the Premier League, but also went through notorious dry spells in front of goal.
      Benteke joined DC United in 2022 when former England captain Wayne Rooney was in charge.
      The Belgian scored a stunning bicycle kick against Charlotte in April last year and took part in the annual MLS All Star game in Washington.
      DeAndre Yedlin, Inter Miami
      DeAndre Yedlin starred at Newcastle before finding his way to the USACredit: Reuters
      The American international right-back has gone from lining-up behind Jeff Hendrick or Ayoze Perez at Steve Bruce’s Newcastle to sharing a flank with Messi in South Florida.
      Quite the rise for the full-back, who also played for Sunderland and, very briefly, Tottenham during his time in England.
      The 30-year-old started his career in MLS with Seattle Sounders before crossing the Atlantic to spend seven years in Europe. Yedlin spent a season at Galatasaray before making the move to Inter Miami.
      Like Suarez, Yedlin featured against Real Salt Lake but lasted the whole game.
      Inter Miami 2-0 Real Salt LakeDAVID BECKHAM’S biggest season yet at Inter Miami got off to a fine start as Lionel Messi inspired their win over Real Salt Lake.
      Beckham flew into Florida for the curtain raiser of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, watching his star-studded side alongside Hollywood icon Will Smith among other celebrities.
      The former England captain needed a performance to live up to the glitz and hype ahead of the game. Fireworks shot above the Chase Stadium as Beckham introduced new signing Luis Suarez ahead of kick-off.
      While Messi did not score the opening goal, he was still putting on a show, playing with swagger and a smile.
      Having hit the bar trying to score directly from a corner, the World Cup winner setup Robert Taylor to grab the first after 39 minutes with a fine through ball.
      Then the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner really started showing off.
      Messi drove towards goal but found the injured Andrew Brody sprawled out in his path.
      Whereas for anyone else the move would end there, the Argentine showed supreme touch to lift the ball over Brody, tip-toe around him and get a shot off.
      There was a sign of the new Stateside circus around Messi, who was stalked from the touchline by his own personal bodyguard, as he shared a hug with Smith in the pitchside hospitality seats as he headed down the tunnel.
      Miami, who won their maiden trophy following Messi’s arrival last season, are looking to claim the MLS Cup – effectively the league title – for the first time in the club’s history.
      With their capture of Messi followed by the arrival of former Barcelona teammates Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Beckham’s boys are clear favourites with the bookies to storm MLS this season.
      There were a few mistakes from the hosts dotted throughout the second half which went unpunished to prove that stardust alone won’t get them across the line.
      But on occasion it does. After a second half on the back foot, a tired looking Messi and Suarez burst back into life to combine and set up Diego Gomez to score a stunning second with a scintillating break from the halfway line.
      Seconds later Suarez was denied his first goal for the club when Zac MacMath made a stunning near post save from the Uruguayan’s close range strike which came at the end of another Messi break.
      The Argentine then almost got his own name on the scoresheet with a seamless run from the right, before seeing his effort stopped.
      At full time the fireworks went up again into the South Florida sky and Beckham will be praying they can continue all season long.

      Teemu Pukki, Minnesota United
      Ex-Norwich ace Teemu Pukki joined Minnesota United last JuneCredit: Getty
      The Finnish striker has swapped Norfolk for the Twin Cities on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
      Pukki joined Minnesota United in June last year after scoring 88 goals in more than 200 appearances for the Canaries in the Premier League and Championship.
      The 33-year-old has a fine strike rate of ten goals in just 14 MLS appearances.
      Bryan Oviedo, Real Salt Lake
      Bryan Oviedo has already played 41 times for Real Salt LakeCredit: Getty
      The former Everton and Sunderland man returned to former club FC Copenhagen after leaving English football, but has been with Real Salt Lake since 2022.
      A versatile left-back, Oviedo scored twice in 60 Premier League appearances but is yet to register a goal in 41 outings for Salt Lake.
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      He begins his season with the biggest task of all, up against Messi in Miami in front of Beckham.
      Oviedo was an unused substitute in the game against Inter Miami. More

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      ‘He’s just taking the p**s,’ say fans as they spot ‘savage’ Messi’s ‘disrespectful’ skill against injured opponent

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      LIONEL MESSI has been branded a “savage” after chipping the ball over an injured opponent before having a shot on goal.The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner captained Inter Miami to an opening victory in the MLS on Wednesday.
      Lionel Messi produced a ‘disrespectful’ piece of skill against Real Salt LakeCredit: X
      Messi picked up an assist as his side beat Real Salt Lake 2-0 with goals from Robert Taylor and Diego Gomez.
      However, it was a separate moment during the match which caught the attention of fans.
      Whilst completing a mazy dribble on the edge of the Salt Lake penalty area, Messi dinked the ball over a stricken opponent.
      With the player rolling around in agony on the floor, he skipped past a challenge whilst lifting the ball over them.
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      Messi then weaved between the two players to get on the end of his skill.
      He was even able to get off a shot, but it was blocked by the Salt Lake defence.
      Reacting to the skill on social media, one fan wrote: “Messi is a menace for this one.”
      Another added: “He’s just taking the p**s now.”
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      Inter Miami 2-0 Real Salt LakeBy Jack Rosser in Miami
      DAVID BECKHAM’S biggest season yet at Inter Miami got off to a fine start as Lionel Messi inspired their win over Real Salt Lake.
      Beckham flew into Florida for the curtain raiser of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, watching his star-studded side alongside Hollywood icon Will Smith among other celebrities.
      The former England captain needed a performance to live up to the glitz and hype ahead of the game. Fireworks shot above the Chase Stadium as Beckham introduced new signing Luis Suarez ahead of kick-off.
      While Messi did not score the opening goal, he was still putting on a show, playing with swagger and a smile.
      Having hit the bar trying to score directly from a corner, the World Cup winner setup Robert Taylor to grab the first after 39 minutes with a fine through ball.
      Then the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner really started showing off.
      Messi drove towards goal but found the injured Andrew Brody sprawled out in his path. Whereas for anyone else the move would end there, the Argentine showed supreme touch to lift the ball over Brody, tip-toe around him and get a shot off.
      There was a sign of the new Stateside circus around Messi, who was stalked from the touchline by his own personal bodyguard, as he shared a hug with Smith in the pitchside hospitality seats as he headed down the tunnel.
      Miami, who won their maiden trophy following Messi’s arrival last season, are looking to claim the MLS Cup – effectively the league title – for the first time in the club’s history.
      With their capture of Messi followed by the arrival of former Barcelona teammates Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Beckham’s boys are clear favourites with the bookies to storm MLS this season.
      There were a few mistakes from the hosts dotted throughout the second half which went unpunished to prove that stardust alone won’t get them across the line.
      But on occasion it does. After a second half on the back foot, a tired looking Messi and Suarez burst back into life to combine and set up Diego Gomez to score a stunning second with a scintillating break from the halfway line.
      Seconds later Suarez was denied his first goal for the club when Zac MacMath made a stunning near post save from the Uruguayan’s close range strike which came at the end of another Messi break.
      The Argentine then almost got his own name on the scoresheet with a seamless run from the right, before seeing his effort stopped.
      At full time the fireworks went up again into the South Florida sky and Beckham will be praying they can continue all season long.

      A third fan also commented: “Just seen the most disrespectful football clip out.”
      Meanwhile, one more exclaimed: “Messi is a savage for this.”
      GRAPHIC-VID_LIONEL_MESSI
      Inter Miami fans will be hoping for more of the same against LA Galaxy in their next match this weekend.
      Messi is now into his first full season with the MLS side after signing from Paris Saint-Germain in July.

      The 36-year-old went on to win the Leagues Cup with his new club last year.
      Following Wednesday’s victory, he has now scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami.
      Messi dinked the ball over an injured opponent before shootingCredit: X More

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      Watch calamitous 50-yard own-goal after goalkeeper ‘jumps out of the way of the ball’ as fans say ‘what is he doing?’

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      MLS goalkeeper Andre Blake’s shocking blunder, which led to a 50-yard own goal, has left football fans speechless.Blake’s mishap came in Philadelphia Union’s 3-2 victory over Deportivo Saprissa.

      Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake escaped after an almighty blunderCredit: Reuters
      Jakob Glesnes played a high long range ball back to his keeperCredit: X
      But the Jamaican shot stopper was out of positionCredit: X
      It resulted in a 50-yard own goalCredit: X
      Just as the game hit the 28-minute mark, Union defender Jakob Glesnes attempted to play a long pass back to Blake, 33.
      Glesnes was being pressed when he hit the rushed pass back towards his team’s unattended net, as his goalkeeper was outside the box.
      The Jamaican captain scrambled to retrieve it before attempting to leap into the air and put his body in front of the ball.
      But he failed miserably as it bounced past him and gave the Costa Rican side a 1-0 lead.
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      Philadelphia fought back to level the game up when Julian Carranza headed from close range into the bottom corner.
      Carranza then went on to secure himself two more goals and finish the game with a hat-trick to give the Union the win, despite their comical error.
      And fans were left in hysterics over the clanger, as one supporter wrote: “The goalkeeper just jumps out of the way.”
      A second said: “What is he doing!”
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      A third added: “What an atrocious sequence of events.”
      While another was more sympathetic: “Anyone blaming Blake has never had to read a bounce while back peddling full speed.”
      Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel Messi
      The 50-yard calamity was almost a record domestic own goal too.
      It was only two yards shorter than Konstantinos Mavropanos’ last season.
      The 26-year-old left his Stuttgart team-mates stunned after he scored a 52 yard own goal with a no-look pass in a German Cup.
      The Greek international – who now plays for West Ham – steered the ball from near the right touchline past his own goalkeeper Florian Muller after a fourth-minute throw in.
      The German Football Federation tweeted it was the furthest distance for an own goal in the competition’s history. More

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      I’m an ex-Premier League star who plays with Lionel Messi – but I’m richer than him at just 23 despite his £515m fortune

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      DESPITE having a fortune worth over £500miliion, Lionel Messi is NOT Inter Miami’s richest player.The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s net worth is dwarfed by that of a former Premier League striker.
      Leonardo Campana is richer than team-mate Lionel Messi at just 23-years-oldCredit: Reuters
      The Inter Miami striker’s family are valued at more than $1billionCredit: instagram @leonardocampana
      Leonardo Campana’s family are reportedly valued at more than $1billion, which is close to £800m.
      Prior to making his loan move to Inter Miami permanent in 2023, he spent three years as a Wolves player.
      However, the 23-year-old failed to make a first-team appearance for the club, instead spending time on loan in Portugal and Switzerland.
      Since heading to the MLS, though, Campana has scored 23 goals in 65 appearances for Inter Miami.
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      The Ecuador international is the son of tennis player-turned-politician Pablo Campana.
      His dad represented Ecuador at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta before becoming the country’s Minister of Commerce.
      Nowadays, the 51-year-old is the CEO and founder of Milenium S.A, a real estate development firm in his homeland.
      Campana is also the great-grandson of ex-footballer Gabriel, who won six Ecuadorian league titles in the 1920s.
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      Meanwhile, his grandmother is one of the most prominent businesswomen in Ecuador.
      Isabel Noboa’s business empire spans across agriculture, real estate and tourism according to Latin Trade.
      ‘This is gonna make Messi s*** his pants’, says Will Ferrell during announcement of LAFC’s new kit
      She also studied at Harvard and the University of London.
      The family’s valuation is almost double that of Messi’s £515m fortune.
      The World Cup winner’s career has seen him pen lucrative contracts with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
      He also has multiple endorsement deals, including a reported £16m-a-year contract with blockchain firm Socios, as well as his own clothing line and a life-long deal with Adidas.
      Campana is the son of an Olympian-turned-politician, whilst his grandmother has a business empireCredit: Reuters
      The Ecuador international spent three years at Wolves but failed to make an appearanceCredit: instagram / @wolves More

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      Major football tournament to begin with NO REFEREES as pay dispute continues after deal rejected

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      THE MLS looks set to begin the new season without its referees because of an ongoing pay dispute.And that means the campaign will likely begin with emergency replacement officials drafted in.
      MLS referees are being prevented from taking charge of matches due to a pay rowCredit: Getty
      The 2024 MLS kicks off on Wednesday night when Inter Miami host Real Salt Lake.
      But according to CBS, the usual refs are no closer to striking a deal to take charge of the matches.
      It comes after the latest proposed deal was rejected by the Professional Soccer Referees Association.
      Now the Professional Refereee Organization are expected to block their members overseeing MLS games from this week.
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      The previous referees’ deal expired on February 12, just nine days before the first game of the new season.
      However, an extension continues to be rejected over factors.
      The officials’ demands include increased pay, first- or business-class travel for MLS Cup play-offs and improvements in treatment including physiotherapy.
      Peter Manikowski, president and lead negotiator for PSRA, said: “We live for this game, giving it 100 per cent of our dedication, experience, fitness and ability.
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      “The skyrocketing growth of MLS has significantly increased demands on officials mentally and physically, and as such has increased demands on both our professional and personal time.
      “Our members are asking not only for fair compensation at a time when the league is reporting record growth, but also for the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home to continue officiating at the highest level that this sport demands.”  
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      Should a deal fail to be struck in the next few days, the MLS will see a repeat of the 2014 campaign which started with replacement refs.
      And that could cause problems for matches due to the elite referees’ fitness levels, familiarity with the players and understanding of new rule changes.
      That includes the introduction of a ten-second limit for substitutes to leave the field – or else their replacement cannot come on for 60 seconds.
      MLS Executive Vice President of Sporting Product & Competition Nelson Rodríguez said: “It’s extremely disappointing that the officials have voted against the tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
      “PRO worked for months and addressed all the issues that were raised by PSRA’s bargaining unit. It is also unfortunate that the PSRA rejected PRO’s offer for a mutual no strike – no lockout commitment, which would have allowed all match officials to continue working during ongoing negotiations.
      “PRO has informed us of its contingency plan for the upcoming MLS season, which includes utilising experienced professional match referees supported by veteran VAR officials. We are confident in the comprehensive plan they have put in place.”
      Columbus Crew beat Los Angeles in the MLS Cup final in 2023 to be crowned champions for the third time.
      But Lionel Messi will be desperate to inspire David Beckham’s Inter Miami to glory.
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      The Argentine legend joined the Florida club following the expiration of his PSG contract last summer, chipping in with one goal in six MLS appearances.
      But this year he will have a full season alongside the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba as the former Barcelona quartet aim to add to their incredible trophy cabinets.
      Lionel Messi will hope to lead Inter Miami to MLS gloryCredit: Reuters More

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      ‘This is gonna make Messi s*** his pants’, says Will Ferrell during announcement of LAFC’s new kit

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      FOOTIE-MAD Will Ferrell took a hilarious shot at Lionel Messi during LAFC’s kit launch.The Hollywood superstar appeared in a glossy video to reveal his team’s new home shirt.
      Will Ferrell starred as LAFC’s kit manCredit: X formerly Twitter / @LAFC
      The Hollywood icon scrubbed a football boot with a toothbrushCredit: X formerly Twitter / @LAFC
      Ferrell revealed the stunning new kitCredit: X formerly Twitter / @LAFC
      And the actor couldn’t hide his excitementCredit: X formerly Twitter / @LAFC
      The launch poked fun at Inter Miami superstar Lionel MessiCredit: Reuters
      In a video posted to social media, Ferrell played the role of hapless LAFC kit man.
      After caressing a shin pad and scrubbing a boot with a toothbrush, Ferrell was informed that the launch would be that day.
      The 56-year-old subsequently held up the smart black shirt with gold trim, treating it with awe.
      In an amazing outtake, Ferrell could be seen saying: “Black. The grit of the city. Battle-hardened. Golden, like my favourite graham-based cereal. A bounty from Olympus! Hallelujah!
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      “This is gonna make Messi s*** his pants!”
      Fans absolutely loved the cheeky reference to LAFC’s Inter Miami rival.
      One responded: “This is hysterical!”
      While a second gushed: “I love Will!!!”
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      A third swooned: “We need more Will, this is gold.”
      And another added: “Wait, Will Ferrell dishing out assists? Talk about kicking it up a notch! Kits gonna sell like crazy now, don’t ya think?”
      Fans demand Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami contract ‘terminated ASAP’ after spotting what he did during loss to Vissel Kobe
      Ferrell is a big football fan and took part in Soccer Aid in 2012.
      He eventually bought a stake in LAFC in 2016 ahead of their MLS launch.
      During his Soccer Aid appearance, Ferrell forged an unlikely friendship with Manchester United legend Roy Keane while playing for the Rest of the World team.
      While visiting the Etihad last season for Manchester City’s clash with Aston Villa, Ferrell embraced his old buddy Keane.
      Back in 2012 Ferrell, who starred in 2005 football film Kicking and Screaming, explained how his friendship with Keane began.
      He said: “No one told me ahead of time you’re not supposed to go up and hug Roy Keane, and that’s the first thing I did.
      “I walked up, hugged him, picked him up, and gave him a big old wet kiss on the cheek.

      “He said ‘nice to meet you too’…
      “He waved at me at breakfast on Friday morning, I believe he was waving at me. I believe it was really positive.”
      Ferrell reunited with old pal Roy Keane last seasonCredit: Getty More