We spent Saturday afternoon attending the D.C. United vs Inter Miami CF match held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
With D.C. United moving the match from Audi Field to the much larger home of the Baltimore Ravens, the club was able to accommodate the massive demand for tickets, much of it driven by fans hoping to see Lionel Messi in person.
We purchased tickets for $73 each in Section 515, which had us tucked just above D.C. United’s supporter section. From our seats we had a great view of the entire pitch, while also getting to experience the nonstop energy from the supporters below us throughout the match.
The game drew a record-breaking crowd of 72,026, the largest attendance for a D.C. United match. With such a large crowd expected, parking around the stadium proved to be challenging even with the bigger venue. After driving around for a bit, we ended up parking east of Federal Hill for $21, leaving us with just over a mile walk to the stadium. The atmosphere around Baltimore made it worth it as thousands of fans were making their way toward the stadium.
Before finding our seats, we stopped by one of the stadium’s club stores to check out the merchandise. The shop had a large selection of D.C. United gear, but what stood out most was an entire rack dedicated to Inter Miami kits. Many of them had Messi’s name and number printed on the back, which was no surprise considering how many fans were in attendance hoping to see him play.
This was my third time seeing Messi play live, and it never gets old. What stands out the most every time is just how effortless he makes the game look. While other players are sprinting around the field trying to create space, Messi often looks like he’s barely trying yet somehow, he’s always in the perfect position and involved in the most dangerous moments of the match.
Game Summary
Inter Miami entered the match as clear favorites, and they showed exactly why with a dominant performance in the first half.
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul opened the scoring for Miami, setting the tone early for the visitors. Not long after, Lionel Messi doubled Inter Miami’s lead with a goal that marked the 899th goal of his professional career. Even in a packed stadium filled with D.C. United supporters, the moment still drew a huge reaction from fans who came specifically to witness one of the greatest players in football history.
The second half saw D.C. United push forward looking for a way back into the match. Their effort paid off when Tai Baribo found the back of the net, scoring his second goal of the season.
Despite the late push from D.C. United, Inter Miami remained composed and controlled much of the match as they held on for the victory. With the massive crowd, the chance to watch Messi live, and the unique experience of seeing an MLS match played in Baltimore, it made for a memorable Saturday afternoon of soccer.
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