Scotland Fans Pack Miami as Gilmour Throws First Pitch
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- Tartan Army supporters swelled the Miami Marlins vs Texas Rangers crowd to 20,008 — the biggest Monday night gathering at LoanDepot Park since 2017, their second ballpark crossover in just over a week after Fenway Park
- Billy Gilmour, the injured Scotland and Napoli midfielder wearing a knee brace and Marlins top, hobbled to the mound and threw the ceremonial first pitch to a rousing ovation before limping off
- Scotland fans were offered a tartan-themed food menu, including a "mince and tattie hot dog" rated 9/10 by a supporter sporting a Dundee United tattoo
- Nick Morgan performed his anthem "No Scotland No Party" on an outdoor stage to thousands of Scottish fans before the game, while DJ CP spun "Bits and pieces" and the Beatles inside
- Stephen McGinn, brother of Scotland's John McGinn, caught an errant baseball that ricocheted off a metal railing straight into his grasp
- The Miami Marlins lost to the Texas Rangers despite the Tartan Army's vocal backing, leaving Scotland fans with more Texas Rangers wins than Scotland wins at this World Cup heading into Wednesday's Brazil group-stage decider
Why it matters: The Tartan Army's second stadium takeover in under two weeks delivered LoanDepot Park its largest Monday crowd since 2017, showing Scotland's World Cup run is generating real ticket revenue and goodwill for American MLB franchises willing to court the travelling support. Scotland's Group C fate against Brazil on Wednesday now decides whether this U.S. tour ends as a holiday footnote or a tournament-qualifying milestone.
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