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Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
What is inexplicable about Guillermo Barros Schelotto explains everything
What is inexplicable about Guillermo Barros Schelotto explains everything. It is captured, but not contained, in the moment that clinched the Crew's first MLS Cup in 2008, against the New York Red Bulls, in a stadium once known as the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The Crew are pushing forward. An attempted through ball into the box by forward Alejandro Moreno is intercepted. Moreno digs it out and leaves it for midfielder Eddie Gaven, who touches it back to Schelotto. The incomparable one is stationed eight yards above the top of the box. He has two defenders converging on him head-on and another on his right periphery. He has the ball on his foot, which is to say he is happy. Somehow – does he have eyes on the right side of his head? – Schelotto spots fullback Frankie Hejduk screaming in on the diagonal. Or he sensed him. Ninety hundred and ninety nine times out of a thousand, Hejduk would have stayed wide on the right sideline, looking for a ball that he could cross. This one time, Hejduk saw a chance and cut inside for a run at the goal. 'I don't know how he saw me,' Hejduk said. 'I just don't know. I don't know how to explain it. And that explains him. What happened next, well … Of all the players in the world, 99.97% of them would have tried a through ball on the ground, and it would have been blocked or intercepted. But this is Guillermo. I've watched that replay 1,000 times, and I still don't know how he did it.' Schelotto toe-flicked the ball over a swarming mass of bodies. It was poetry amid chaos. The pass traveled in a lazy arc and came down, directly, on the forehead of Hejduk, who, while flying, didn't have to break stride. Hejduk had only to nod the ball over the goalkeeper to give the Crew a 3-1 lead in the 82nd minute, and that was it. More: Massive: Schelotto, hard-working Crew trounce Red Bulls for MLS Cup title The Crew won their first MLS Cup. Schelotto, who assisted on all three goals in the final, was the tournament MVP. He would also be named the league's MVP for leading the Crew to the Supporters' Shield, which goes to the team with the best record. He had seven goals and 19 assists as an attacking midfielder in 2008, the middle of his two-plus-season stint in Columbus. He was SI Latino's Sportsman of the Year. Under a new coach in 2009, he was asked to play as more of a forward and had 12 goals and three assists in 24 games. On July 19, when the Crew host D.C. United at the new Crew stadium, Schelotto will be enshrined in the team's Circle of Honor. He will join his former coach, Sigi Schmid (RIP); his captain in Columbus, Hejduk; and the team's first star, Brian McBride. The Circle is a tight one. There are things fans can gripe about: Presently, the wall where Circle members are posted for posterity can't be viewed as construction on high-priced luxury clubs continues. There's also the fact that Schelotto, whose coaching career continues in the Argentine Primera Division with Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield, has a scheduling conflict and can't be in Columbus for the ceremony. That sucks. Schelotto is a legendary figure in the history of one of Argentina's most storied clubs, Boca Juniors. Schelotto won 15 trophies in his decade with the club. He's not at Diego Maradona's level on the adoration scale, but he's not far off. In fact, one of Schelloto's biggest fans was El Pibe de Oro (RIP), who watched a lot of his old team when his playing days were over. Schelotto arrived in Columbus through the summer transfer window of 2007. When his new teammates spoke of him, they spoke of both the professional and the personal. They marveled at his mastery of the game. Years ago, Gaven was among those who talked about how Schelotto simplified everything. 'I just go where he tells me,' Gaven said, 'and then there's the ball.' Hejduk said, 'When he was playing his magic tricks, that's when everything happened. He took a couple of months to get used to the style of the league. After that, when he was running on all cylinders, every player on the team was on all cylinders. He ran the show. He made everyone better. It was like we were unstoppable.' Schelotto loved Columbus. He liked the lifestyle. After years of opening the drapes and seeing Boca fans all over his front lawn in Buenos Aires, he relished his quiet family time in the Columbus suburbs. He also enjoyed having the whole team over for barbecues, something he did often. 'He has a great mom,' said Dr. Pete Edwards. 'He's a great man. A great person. It's what has made him a great coach.' Edwards served as the Crew's team doctor from the inception of the franchise in 1996 until he and his family bought a piece of the team to help save it in 2018. Edwards remembers wondering what he'd find when Schelotto showed up as a 34-year-old. Arthritic knees? 'He was ready to go,' Edwards said. 'He wasn't Carlos Valderrama in terms of fitness, but he didn't have to run 10 kilometers a game like (current Crew midfielder) Dylan Chambost. When you know where everyone on the field is, you know when to pick your spots. Lionel Messi is the same way.' Schelotto was most responsible for delivering the Crew its first MLS Cup. He did it at a time when the Nordecke was still being organized and yet was already 'Massive' – the ability to overcome when so much, including penny-pinching owners and a league that looks down its nose at flyover country, is against you – was entrenched in the lexicon of Crew fans. More: Columbus Crew all-time Best XI 2.0: After two amazing years, major update required | Arace Schelotto had that vision thing. He saw the past and was a harbinger of the future. Two more Argentine attacking mids, Federico Higuain and Lucas Zelarayan, made indelible marks in Crew history in a homage to the incomparable one. In terms of iconic franchise players who had the biggest impact, it may be that McBride, the fearless striker of the early years, and Cucho Hernandez, the transcendent attacker of the Wilfried Nancy era to date, are (arguably) the only ones in Schelotto's league. McBride was the face of the new team. He scored the ball with gusto. Cucho was the monster who proclaimed a new era. He was brilliant in terms of soccer IQ and technical ability. Between them was Schelotto, who saw everything. marace@ Get more on the Crew by listening to our podcast This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew's latest addition to Circle of Honor was an MLS magician
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Inside Inter Miami: The good and the bad and what lies ahead for Messi, Inter Miami
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami rebounded in a big way this past Saturday, routing the New York Red Bulls 5-1 after a stinging 3-0 loss to Cincinnati three days earlier. Inside Inter Miami is back with a new episode looking at both of those results and what's ahead, which begins with a rematch at home against Cincinnati this Saturday at Chase Stadium. We'll also discuss Messi's status for the MLS All-Star Game Wednesday night and give our takes on whether or not he should play. And finally, we'll have updates on the Rodrigo De Paul deal, where things stand on Messi's contract extension, and more. Remember, you can watch this show on YouTube and on our site at The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple podcasts, and most other platforms where you listen to your pods. Thank you for watching and listening, and enjoy!
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Lionel Messi surpasses Ronaldo in non-penalty goals with historic milestone
Lionel Messi has once again etched his name in football history by surpassing longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo in total non-penalty goals scored in official matches. During Inter Miami's clash with New York Red Bulls, the Argentine superstar netted a brilliant brace, bringing his tally of non-penalty goals to 764, one more than Ronaldo's 763. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the fact that Messi reached this milestone in 167 fewer appearances than the Portuguese forward. The comparison not only highlights Messi's clinical efficiency in front of goal but also his sustained brilliance over nearly two decades at the top level. ???????? Lionel Messi masterclass ???? New York Red Bulls: 90 mins played 2 goals 1 assist 68 touches 6 duels won 4 chances created 1 big chance created 10 final third passes 100% tackles won ⭐️ Perfect 10 SofaScore rating. Too easy for him. ???? — HF World (@hfworld_) July 20, 2025 Since returning from the FIFA Club World Cup, Messi has been in sensational form in Major League Soccer. The 2022 World Cup champion has scored back-to-back braces in five consecutive MLS matches, an unprecedented streak in league history. His goal-scoring spree includes dominant performances against teams like CF Montréal, Columbus Crew, and Nashville SC. No other player in MLS history has scored two or more goals in five straight games, further underlining Messi's enduring class and consistency. Players with non-penalty goals Players Non-penalty goals Lionel Messi 764 Cristiano Ronaldo 763 Robert Lewandowski 622 Luis Suarez 537 Zlatan Ibrahimovic 488 Karim Benzema 456 Edin Dzeko 426 Edinson Cavani 403 Sergio Aguero 378 Samuel Eto'o 378 Messi maintains his legacy in the United States Even in the later stages of his career, Messi continues to deliver at an elite level, silencing any doubts about his longevity. His presence has been instrumental in Inter Miami's resurgence, especially after a tough 3–0 loss to FC Cincinnati. Messi's leadership and goal-scoring prowess have reinvigorated the team, keeping them competitive in the playoff race. With this latest milestone, Messi strengthens his claim as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Not only has he outshone his closest rival in a key statistical category, but he has done so with flair, humility, and efficiency that define his legendary career. As his MLS journey continues, fans and critics alike are witnessing a masterclass in late-career dominance. Many fans still debate over Messi playing in the MLS where the competition is not quite difficult as compared to that of in Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League as was seen in the FIFA Club World Cup when Al Hilal gave Real Madrid a run for their money and grabbed a crucial draw in the tournament as well against the Spanish heavyweights.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Lionel Messi's 6th brace in 7 games seals Inter Miami's win over Red Bulls
LONDON: Lionel Messi had two goals and two assists to lead Inter Miami to a bounce- back 5-1 victory over the host New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J. Messi and Inter Miami (12-4-5, 41 points) erased a 1-0 first-half deficit with a flurry of goals late in the first half – two of them coming off the foot of Telasco Segovia – that staked the Herons to a 3-1 halftime lead. Miami won its sixth MLS match in its past seven after having a five-game winning streak snapped at FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. Messi saw the end of his MLS-record streak of five matches scoring multiple goals, only to record a brace on Saturday. The Red Bulls (9-9-6, 33 points) failed to string together consecutive wins at home and lost to Inter Miami for the second time this season. New York scored its lone goal in the 15th minute when Emil Forsberg lifted a corner kick in front of Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo's line of sight. Alexander Hack then kicked it home for the score despite having defender Federico Redondo draped all over him. Rios Novo made his second start this season for Oscar Ustari, who sat out with an injury. Jordi Alba, who exited the game in the 84th minute with what appeared to be a leg cramp, scored his first goal of the season in MLS league play off a cross from Messi in the 24th minute to tie the game1-1. Inter Miami took the lead for good in the 27th when Luis Suarez, who assisted on the first goal, sent a ball ahead to Messi, who then directed it quickly to Alba, who then crossed it back to Segovia for an easy shot into the back of the net. In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, Redondo advanced the ball into the Red Bulls' box but could not fire off a shot. Segovia, though, surged in and fired a shot off a rebound past Carlos Miguel Coronel for a third goal. Messi followed with goals in the 60th and 75th minutes to seal the outcome. Messi increased his total goals in MLS games to 18 this season and has contributed on 27 scores.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Messi brace powers Miami past Red Bulls
NEW YORK, July 20 (Xinhua): Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up another as Inter Miami recovered from a goal down to crush New York Red Bulls 5-1 in the MLS. German defender Alexander Hack gave the hosts the lead by volleying home from Emil Forsberg's corner at the near post. Messi then sent a sublime through ball into the path of his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, who took a touch before rifling a shot into the far corner. Alba turned provider three minutes later as his cut-back allowed Telasco Segovia to fire in a first-time effort from eight yards. Inter Miami was suddenly in overdrive, and Venezuelan midfielder Segovia made it 3-1 just before halftime as he pounced on a loose ball to slot home from distance. Messi extended his side's lead by running onto Sergio Busquets' defense-splitting pass from deep inside his half and rounding goalkeeper Carlos Coronel before rolling the ball into an unguarded net. The Florida outfit completed the rout in the 75th minute when Messi chested down Luis Suarez's cross and smashed his shot into the top-left corner. Messi has now scored at least twice in six of his past seven matches. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner now has 18 goals and seven assists in 18 MLS outings this year. Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano heaped praise on Messi after the match, saying the Argentine proved yet again why he is one of the greatest players in history. "Ultimately, I think any sports fan, not just football fans, admires these types of athletes, whether it's Lionel Messi, Michael Jordan in his time, Rafa Nadal," Mascherano told a post-match news conference. "These are people who have transcended sports, and the reality is that those of us who have the opportunity to experience this up close are very privileged." The result leaves Inter Miami fifth in the Eastern Conference with 41 points, seven points behind leaders Cincinnati, but with three games in hand. The New York Red Bulls are ninth, eight points further back.
