the stage is set and the tension is palpable 90 minutes of what should be highly entertaining and absorbing football to come and it would take a very brave person indeed to predict the outcome what an enticing [Applause] [Music] Prospect all the drama and all the action coming up next on eatv and your Chicago hello and thanks for joining us on a lovely day for a game my name's Guy M Sue Smith is alongside me for commentary we've got action coming up from Major League Soccer Sue what are we going to get from this one thanks Guy well being in and around the ground before kickoff the fans are buzzing they can't wait for this game so hopefully it's a fast-paced entertaining match this is how the hosts line up well it looks like a 4231 when they're in possession may go to a 4 five one when defending you think the double pivot in Midfield they're key to protect the backline but they also need to get forward to support the Press there's going to be plenty of threat from the wide midfielders too I'm sure [Applause] Messi encouraging signs to the attack but it hasn't led to anything well we all know Sue how difficult it can be to stop Leonel Messi it's n and impossible when he's at his very best are we going to see the best today well for me it's the way he combines with his teammate always wants the ball once he's passed it he's on the Move wants it back again he's a pleasure to watch I'm sure we'll see more of that today and a good tackle results in a throw [Applause] in bits onto [Applause] Messi that's a fantastic challenge slid in to win it maybe that's a misconnection with the ball it's well well wide thank that's good physical play and the ball has been lost still all square can they make this pressure count for the lead here and there's the first goal of the match deadlock broken if we watch this again I love how he just dances by his marker like he's not even there and then he just shows his call to finish it off [Applause] well goal so it's one n as the game restarts number 10 Lion [Applause] Messi not so much given away as cleverly won untiy in possession there a chance to get something going [Applause] here Messi and there's his second of the match leading the way for the team well have a look at the replay it's a good finish but the goalkeeper should have that area covered he couldn't shift his feet in time to save it at the near post and he's going to have to try and recover from that mistake quickly [Applause] goal and the game restarts with the score 2-n number 10 Lionel Messi play on is the referee's call Kito Jordy Alba [Applause] now getting into a good position and the promise of something happening is over a counter looks on here options available can they take advantage oh they've lost it the attack is over [Applause] [Applause] great chance here there it is a Lifeline in this game and surely momentum is with them now incredible well if we look at this again what a ball this is the way to pass is just right to set up the opportunity and it makes a Striker's job relatively easy all he has to do is make the right connection to really good goal and away we go again at [Applause] 2-1 [Applause] Messi and it's been cut out there's the turnover [Applause] that's been viewed as a foul of free kicks awarded and that now is going to be a booking well he's certainly been warned enough times that was just one too many he was always going to get booked well not long to go until the break and the hosts on score at least second best in this first half yeah they're not quite at their best for me a bit disorganized at the back sometimes overplaying it and getting caught but when they attack quickly they have caused problems I'm sure the manager will look for more of that in the second half well a tame headed effort and too close to the keeper to pose any real challenge some good work to win it there now this might be promising and this could be well he's kept that out [Applause] [Music] nicely it's been delivered and he didn't meet that as he might have it's routine for the goalkeeper well read to gain possession moving forward under no real pressure bset can he finish well it was looking good but ultimately nothing doing and on that whistle the first half comes to an end well lonel Messi has been wonderful to watch to this point first class yeah it was an incredible performance clearly the difference between the two sides he's causing that back line so many problems he'll no doubt be desperate to score a hattick now though and so the second half kicks off [Applause] [Applause] Jordy Alba could get it over now a nice cut back and it's a decent stop by the goalkeeper [Applause] excellent reading of the game to win the [Applause] ball an attack of genuine promise now but not the end result they wanted from an encouraging position tying his luck and that took a deflection corner [Applause] now it's played in now only half the job done [Applause] there and the work pays off as they get the ball back judan shakiri Jordy Alba oh that's been won really smartly pushing forward now to make the right choice able to skip past played into the near post well actually just a little too close to the keeper he'll happily take that [Applause] lonol [Applause] Messi just sitting off here inviting pressure in the right position to cut out the [Applause] pass a move of real promise developing and he's beaten his man here and the keeper happy to see that sail comfortably Over the Bar goal kick [Applause] [Applause] Jordy Alba the chance to get something going [Applause] here oh they were getting interested there but not anymore [Applause] Jordy Alba oh good defending just when it was looking [Applause] threatening good run now can he pick out the right option looking for someone at the front post here well watched by the goalkeeper read the flight nicely buets firm in the tackle it'll be a throw [Applause] you'll have to think quickly here they're allowing space and he's finding [Applause] it oh great block could be a chance oh it's still in there well it promised so much but has delivered [Applause] little and the hard work p pays off theyve won the [Applause] ball perfectly anticipated really well won plenty of open space here a chance to deliver into the box [Applause] a turnaround in possession excellent positioning that's a foul and the sort of tackle that could mean further trouble and it is going to be a caution yeah it's a good decision from The Ref I think he knew that it was [Applause] coming Sergio buscats good Vision he's in here well not the easiest of saves but you'd expect him to probably stop that well that brings the match to a close a frustrating day for the fans in attendance and it's three points dropped yeah it was a real below par performance from there they never really got going did they they certainly need to move on quickly and pick up for the next game well Messi has just about forever been a player who everyone wants to see and he's shown just why today he was certainly one of the standouts a threat throughout just never stopped running and when the chances came he took them well [Applause] [Applause] that stand [Applause] stand