Argentine star Lionel Messi was on the bench to start Inter Miami CF’s game in Toronto on Saturday.
With first place in the MLS’s Eastern Conference already secured, Miami coach Tata Martino opted to keep Messi and fellow stars Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and goalkeeper Drake Callender among the substitutes to start.
Security was tight around BMO Field prior to the match.
The southwest corner of the lakefront stadium was cordoned off, so the Miami team bus could approach the stadium unhindered. Police cars blocked the road with hundreds of fans lined up on either side as if waiting for the Santa Claus parade.
Security officials cleared a balcony at the highest level of the stadium overlooking the bus arrival spot. The stadium essentially went into lockdown when the Miami bus pulled up.
Resale tickets on StubHub for the game, Toronto FC’s regular-season finale, ranged from $400 to $7,700 before kickoff.
The first …