Even with Messi’s involvement still unconfirmed, the buzz is already there.
That is the modern MLS reality. Messi changes the atmosphere before a ball is kicked. Richter acknowledged that bigger picture, saying: “What Messi and what Miami has done for MLS and for our league has been incredible.”
The danger for the Union is emotional drift. A glamour game can easily become a distracted performance, especially against a side with star names across the pitch. Richter appears determined to strip away the noise and keep the conversation where it belongs: on points.
That feels like the correct tone. Philadelphia have looked as though they are fighting to revive their campaign, and home matches like this cannot become exhibition nights. If Messi plays, the challenge rises. If he does not, Miami still carry enough quality to punish any lapse.
There is also a fascinating local angle. A game like this throws younger players into a brighter spotlight, and that pressure can either sharpen a team or expose it. Against experienced forwards and clever movement, Philadelphia’s defensive discipline will matter as much as their energy.
The next storyline is simple: whether Messi is in the starting XI or not, Wednesday should tell us if the Union are truly ready to turn urgency into a genuine late-season push.