Behind two goals from Lionel Messi in his first start, Inter Miami won Group J of the Leagues Cup and will get to host a knockout stage game following a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United on Tuesday at DRV PNK Stadium. Messi scored a brace within 20 minutes of play but Robert Taylor matched him with the duo registering two goals and an assist apiece. Not to be upstaged, Drake Callender had a late penalty save on Thiago Almada to preserve the shutout for the Herons who are improving rapidly.
It would seem like Messi and Sergio Busquets have been training for months as they fit the team like a glove as Tata Martino was able to defeat his former team. Now, the Five Stripes will need to play Cruz Azul to see who advances to the knockout stages alongside Miami in this revamped version of the Leagues Cup.
Once Miami went ahead eight minutes into the match, they wouldn't look back as Atlanta United paid for giving Sergio Busquets the space to find Messi on the break. Teams will eventually need to adjust to the duo but that will be easier said than done as even if Busquets was pressed, he's aware enough to pass his way to safety, especially with players like Taylor streaking down the flanks.
Defensively, the Herons may have taken yet another hit as Serhiy Kryvtsov left the match with a knock and his replacement, Christopher McVey, was sent off with a straight red card. None of that may matter with the form that Callender is in stopping everything that comes toward him in net but at this early stage, Miami seem to be unstoppable.
Even if teams can score on Callender, it won't matter because they can't stop Messi and Busquets while Jordi Alba is coming to join them too. Players who were already on the team are raising their level around Messi and things are just a little bit easier for everyone. A 12-point gap to make MLS playoffs seemed insurmountable when Messi joined but after the early returns, there just may be a chance for the Herons.
Inter Miami have now won the group and will ensure that they get to host at least one more game in the round of 32 in Leagues Cup play. Behind two goals from Lionel Messi and Robert Taylor, Tata Martino has to be giddy with the offensive prospects of his team moving forward.
It wasn't a great penalty take from Almada but Callender was there the whole way through to keep Miami's shutout intact for now.
It's a chance for Atlanta United to get a consolation goal as Ettienne Jr. is pulled down in the box. Can Drake Callender stand tall to stop a penalty?
Again his influence can't be overstated as he has allowed Miami to be expansive in attack by making key saves and also slowing down the game in key moments. Messi will leave the match ager 77 minutes played for Robbie Robinson after a very strong showing.
It's pretty clear who the biggest winner is from Messi's arrival is so far and that's Taylor by far. Being played in with ease and almost giving Miami a 5-0 lead in the match he has been freed by having a true creator alongside him.
But... this Miami team was one of the worst in the league before Messi's arrival. I've never seen such a quick turnaround for a team before as even Zlatan joining the LA Galaxy wasn't something like this. Just genuinely impressive on so many levels.
That was better from Atlanta United as pushing Caleb Wiley into attack is already paying dividends. The Five Stripes will need to be more decisive but there is plenty of room to push for goals in the match. The issue will be can they defend while doing it.
The back three didn't work in the first half and they need to throw anything that they can at Miami in the second half. Not sure if it'll matter at the end of the day with the Herons ahead 3-0 but with how Atlanta's season has gone, Leagues Cup may be their best shot at a trophy.
Like, we already knew that Messi is the most talented player to ever play in MLS but seeing what he has done in such a short amount of time is so impressive. All you can do is stare at awe at what Messi can do and hope that it will be good enough to help pull the Herons into a playoff position so that he can have a chance at MLS Cup. Three goals in two appearances and much more to go.
Goal Messi!!!! 2-0!!! He's got a brace 21 minutes in. A lovely ball right to Robert Taylor who slides to get the ball into the box. Josef Martinez steps by the ball and it falls right to Messi, who puts it away!
The touches in the middle have been good and Busquets looks so comfortable already. His class, compared to nearly everyone around him, is so evident. So elegant on the ball as usual.
Robert Taylor is living up to the moment. It's a brace now as Messi waited for Taylor to get down the pitch and the Herons scored with ease. The first assist for Messi in a Heartbeat kit.
Again, Atlanta are creating chances as Lennon crashes a chance off the post. The Five Stripes have done a good job to limit Messi's touches but there is plenty of space over the top.
Wolff has the ball in the back of the net but it's off as Miami almost concedes within two minutes of play. While things are improved going forward with Messi, the defense certainly has a lot of work to do.
Off to a fast start as Miami wants to ensure that they capitalize on the start to the match.
While the focus is on Inter Miami, Atlanta United can also make things happen. Thiago Almada won the World Cup with Messi and now he'll be opposing him.
Starters: Guzan, Abram, Sanchez, Robinson, Wiley, Rossetto, Sosa, Lennon, Almada, Wolff, Giakoumakis
Reserves: Hernandez, Alonso, Muyumba, Sejdic, Ettienne Jr., Berry, Mosquera, Cobb, Diop, Westberg, Fortune, McFadden
While the stars aren't out in force like Messi's debut Diddy and Khaby are in attendance with more stars likely to be spotted during the match. Everyone wants to see what Messi can do from kickoff as Tata Martino seeks revenge.
We're beginning to see what the Miami lineup will look like for the remainder of the season with Messi starting and taking the captian's armband.
Starters: Callender, Allen, Miller, Kryvtsov, Yedlin, Cremaschi, Arroyo, Busquets, Taylor, Martinez, Messi
Reserves: Dos Santos, Jensen, Azcona, Borgelin, Campana, McVey, Neville, Robinson, Ruiz, Sailor, Ulloa
Messi mania is in full swing as the Argentine superstar gets his first start for the Herons in Leagues Cup play. Starting alongside Josef Martinez, Messi will be fed by Sergio Busquets as well while Miami hosts Atlanta United. DRV PNK stadium will again witness history while Inter Miami look to remain undefeated in Leagues Cup play.
