Another match, another victory for Inter Miami who move into the last 16 of Leagues Cup following a brace from Lionel Messi to push the team to a 3-1 victory on Orlando City SC on Wednesday night. It will set up Messi's first away match on Sunday, Aug. 6 at FC Dallas for a chance to make it into the last eight of the competition. Jordi Alba and Diego Gomez made their Inter Miami debuts in the match highlighting that this isn't the same team that sat at the bottom of the Eastern Conference when this summer tournament kicked off.
Messi opened the scoring within 10 minutes of the match before Orlando would draw back to bring it level via Cesar Araujo. It entered the half level as Araujo did a good job of getting under Messi's skin but it would cost Orlando in the second half. Josef Martinez was brought down and scored his penalty in the 51st minute before Messi added insurance for Miami's third goal of the match in the 72nd minute. Messi had the chance to take the penalty to get closer to a hat trick but gave it to his Venezuelan teammate who grabbed his first goal for the club in the competition.
This performance brings Messi to five goals and one assist in only three appearances while also getting his first full 90 under his belt.
Miami are becoming a team that no one wants to face as they're fully in contention for winning this tournament due to their quick revamp with the World Cup winner leading the charge. With Tata Martino getting even more players under his belt, rotation will be important but his starting XI is going to create some tough decisions. Facundo Faris wasn't available for this match but he'll provide competition to Robert Taylor on the left despite the latter's three goals and two assists since Messi has joined the club.
Recruitment in Fort Lauderdale has been excellent as this team is more than Messi, Sergio Busquets, Alba and others as the club's vision is clear and taking shape. With young players to offset each of their aging stars, Inter Miami are set up to succeed in the long haul. It helps that teams can't stop Messi but if the defense is able to keep their form, allowing two goals in their last three matches, that could be the improvement that shows that they are contenders for silverware.
Miami are beginning to show all of the different ways that they can win after defeating Orlando City in Leagues Cup. The Herons weren't at their best but the defense had an excellent night to keep Orlando contained. With competition rising for spots in the lineup, performance levels will need to stay high which is a good problem for Tata Martino to have.
It's back to back braces for Lionel Messi as he's assisted by Robert Taylor to put the Heron's ahead by two goals. Orlando City were doing as well as possible to defend Messi but even that isn't enough when he feels like scoring.
But he's not the only debut as Diego Gomez is also making his debut for the club. Exciting times continue for Inter Miami but they have to close this game out.
Martinez stutters and talked the penalty at his pace and it won't miss putting Miami back ahead.
Josef Martinez is taken down in the box and will get to take the penalty to break his scoreless streak.
Orlando upped the pressure with Araujo getting under Messi's skin but that's something that could backfire in the second half it Miami comes out quickly. We're likely only minutes from Jordi Alba's debut which will shift dynamics again.
After a challenge from Orlando City on Josef Martinez, Messi will get another free kick from outside the box to replicate his magic from the Cruz Azul match. After bending it over the wall, Gallese was able to make the save.
A shot from distance that almost find the net for Miami, Taylor has been the biggest benefactor of Messi's arrival so far.
DeAndre Yedlin got forward to play a cross into the box but Messi just missed his chance rattling the post. 15 minutes remaining in the half for Miami to go back ahead.
He picked up his first yellow card after getting caught in a tangle stopping an Orlando City counter attack. Not like he'll have to worry about picking up a red but yellow card accumulation could be a concern don't the line.
And we're level after Drake Callender saved Orlando's first attempt on net but it fell to Cesar Araujo who didn't miss with a laser into the back of the net. With two goals in 17 minutes, this match is off to quite a start.
Messi was streaking through the middle and just like that Orlando are behind 1-0 within 10 minutes of the match. Moments that you have to sit back and witness greatness. Yet another assist for Robert Taylor as well.
But Drake Callender is there to keep things in line. Callender has been in excellent form during Leagues Cup and will be needed with Orlando's attacking power.
Inter Miami are in possession to start the match as Orlando City are pressing to begin the game which will bring a very different look than facing Atlanta United.
Jorge Mas introduced Jordi Alba to the DRV PNK crowd before the game gets underway. One of the Herons newest signings, Alba could make his debut today from the bench. Alba addressed the crowd and we're almost ready to get the game underway.
The puddles of water on the pitch have been cleared as things are looking up for getting the match underway.
It's looking like 9:35 kickoff time as long as there is no more lightning in Fort Lauderdale. Weather delays have been pretty common during Leagues Cup play so far with Miami being the latest team impacted.
We're currently in a weather delay with kickoff time to be determined. With how much water that the storm has dumped on DRV PNK stadium, it could be at least an hour before the match is kicking off. We'll provide updates as soon as we get any.
Facundo Torres Torres and Duncan McGuire can give Miami's defense something to think about during the match but it'll be down to the defense to decide the match.
Starter: Pedro Gallese, Kyle Smith, Antonio Carlos, Robin Jansson, Rafael Santos, Cesar Araujo, Wilder Cartagena, Ivan Angulo, Mauricio Pereira, Facundo Torres, Duncan McGuire
It won't be a starting appearance for Miami's newest defender but he'll likely come off the bench during the match to get his home debut. Messi will start his second consecutive game to try and keep his form going.
Starters: Drake Callender, Noah Allen, Kamal Miller, Sergii Kryvtsov, DeAndre Yedlin, Dixon Arroyo, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi, Robert Taylor, Josef Martinez, Lionel Messi.
While the match could come too soon for new signings Tomas Aviles and Facundo Farias to make their debuts, one player who could feature is left back Jordi Alba. In his pre-match press conference, Tata Martino didn't rule out Alba featuring, which could see him debuting from the bench. Another player to watch will be Robert Taylor. Also with three goals and one assist since Messi's arrival, he's a player who will need to keep up their form to stay in the starting lineup with the arrival of Farias.
While the match could come too soon for new signings Tomas Aviles and Facundo Farias to make their debuts, one player who could feature is left back Jordi Alba. In his pre-match press conference, Tata Martino didn't rule out Alba featuring, which could see him debuting from the bench. Another player to watch will be Robert Taylor. Also with three goals and one assist since Messi's arrival, he's a player who will need to keep up their form to stay in the starting lineup with the arrival of Farias.
Leagues Cup play continues during what has been an exciting tournament so far. Even outside of Lionel Messi's arrival in MLS we've seen goals flying in left and right but this Florida derby has the potential to be one of the best matches that we've seen so far. Can Orlando City SC be the first team to stop Messi from finding the back of the net while bringing the Herons back to earth? Only time will tell.
