![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/lionel-messi-impact-causes-debate-after-showing-good-and-bad-in-mls/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_Untitled-collage-70.jpg&description=USMNT goalkeeper and football icon Brad Friedel has opened up about Lionel Messi's Inter Miami transfer, and how it has played a dramatic effect on MLS and U.S. sport in general. Former USMNT and Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel has revealed how Lionel Messi's transfer to MLS franchise Inter Miami has highlighted both the "good and bad of U.S. sports". The iconic shot-stopper knows a thing or two about performing at the highest levels of football, having earned an impressive 450 Premier League appearances. He had 132 clean sheets during spells with Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. But despite performing at the highest levels of the sport, Friedel also experienced the lower sides during a year at Columbus Crew from 1996 to 1997 - just three years after MLS was founded. "Back in the early 2000s the league nearly folded and there were three families who kept the league going, which was a pinnacle moment for MLS," Friedel said via Sporting Post. "The Krafts, the Hunts and Anschutz came together and saved the league. "But since [David] Beckham, I haven't seen or heard of anything quite like this in the U.S. I live in Miami and you would hardly have known that Inter Miami was a team. But overnight they are everywhere you walk. There are pink and black shirts, there are Messi shirts, there are billboards, everybody wants a ticket!" Messi's arrival to the league wasn't the only time a superstar player has made the move to the United States in the twilight of his career. Footballers including Pele, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard all enjoyed spells Stateside. But, according to Friedel, Messi's move hasn't been completely positive. "Perhaps it shows the good and bad of U.S. sports, but U.S. people love the event, but now every game is an event," he added. "If you look at the who's who of the game between LAFC and Miami, it was quite something. People don't really attend football games in the U.S. unless i){kind=link}
USMNT goalkeeper and football icon Brad Friedel has opened up about Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami transfer, and how it has played a dramatic effect on MLS and U.S. sport in general.
Former USMNT and Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel has revealed how Lionel Messi’s transfer to MLS franchise Inter Miami has highlighted both the “good and bad of U.S. sports”.
The iconic shot-stopper knows a thing or two about performing at the highest levels of football, having earned an impressive 450 Premier League appearances. He had 132 clean sheets during spells with Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. But despite performing at the highest levels of the sport, Friedel also experienced the lower sides during a year at Columbus Crew from 1996 to 1997 – just three years after MLS was founded.
“Back in the early 2000s the league nearly folded and there were three families who kept the league going, which was a pinnacle moment for MLS,” Friedel said via Sporting Post. “The Krafts, the Hunts and Anschutz came together and saved the league.
“But since [David] Beckham, I haven’t seen or heard of anything quite like this in the U.S. I live in Miami and you would hardly have known that Inter Miami was a team. But overnight they are everywhere you walk. There are pink and black shirts, there are Messi shirts, there are billboards, everybody wants a ticket!”