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Vancouver Whitecaps to host Inter Miami, and probably Lionel Messi, in soccer semi-final

Lionel Messi will likley be playing in Vancouver this month
Brendan Kergin
Brendan Kergin
messi-miami-concacaf
Inter Miami, for which international superstar Lionel Messi plays, will be playing two games against Vancouver this spring, including one likely at BC Place.Photo courtesy Inter Miami

The Vancouver Whitecaps are really hitting their stride right now.

Currently atop the MLS, the local soccer team just made their way to the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final as well. The tournament features the best teams from across the region (not just the MLS), including Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica.

On Wednesday, April 9, the Whitecaps finished a two-leg quarter-final against the legendary Pumas from Mexico City. While both games finished in ties, the 'Caps won thanks to scoring more away goals.

That puts the Canadian side into a two-game semi-final versus Inter Miami, the team soccer icon Lionel Messi plays for.

When is Lionel Messi coming to Vancouver?

Concacaf announced Thursday that the first leg of the semi-final, which is to be hosted in Vancouver, will take place April 24.

The game will take place at BC Place, with kick-off at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets haven't gon on sale yet. Season ticket holders and team insiders will have access at noon on April 10. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at noon on Friday, April 11.

The second leg will be played in Miami on April 30.

A Messi history in Vancouver

Messi has never played in Vancouver.

Inter Miami did play a regular-season game here last year, but Messi (along with stars Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets) didn't make the trip to BC Place.

Prior to the game, Messi's participation was hyped up and tickets were being resold for up to $10,000.

Just a couple of days before the match, Inter Miami announced their captain and superstar wouldn't be playing, leading to disappointment and at least one civil case.

This time it seems more likely Messi will make the trip given the stature of the game.

The winner will go on to the final of the tournament (a single game played in Los Angeles on June 1). The winner of that game will qualify for two global tournaments.