Minnesota United midfielder Joaquin Pereyra’s playing career started in Rosario, Argentina — the hometown of legend Lionel Messi — in 2016. When Pereyra debuted for Rosario Central at age 16, Messi — 11 years Pereyra’s senior — was already in Spain scoring goals by the ton and winning Ballon d’Or trophies as FIFA’s player of the year at Barcelona.

Inside the stadium, a sellout crowd of 19,710 watched Messi score a goal, but the Loons beat the Herons convincingly, 4-1, on a beautiful early summer afternoon. It was the Loons’ 100th home

Minnesota appeared to have some fun with that situation, especially as it cruised to an easy victory and into second place in the Western Conference with 22 points. Inter Miami ha