Lionel Messi scored yet again last time out and propelled Inter Miami to a 4-0 triumph over Charlotte FC to reach the semi-finals of the Leagues Cup.
Up until the latter stages of regulation, there was a strong chance that Inter Miami were going to win against Charlotte at home and the seven time Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t involved on the scoresheet. However, the 36-year-old got on the end of a pass from forward Leonardo Campana fired home from close range to extend his goal tally with the Herons to eight.
The trio of Messi, Robert Taylor, and Josef Martinez all scored as Miami got one step closer to their first ever trophy in club history. Head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will need his front three (and the rest of the side) to remain in top form if they are to go on to win the competition.
Here’s when Messi and Miami will be back on the big screen in their Leagues Cup journey.
The Herons are into the final four of the 2023 Leagues Cup, and they’ll face off against Philadelphia Union in what looks to be a mouthwatering fixture with a trip to the final on the line.
While the exact time of the game hasn’t been determined yet, the game will take place on August 15 at Subaru Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It will be the second time Messi is playing on the road after their dramatic comeback win against FC Dallas in the round of 16.
Philadelphia Union will pose a threat to Inter Miami’s chances of reaching the final as Jim Curtin’s side are usually well-drilled and hard to beat. But, as we’ve seen so far, anything is possible with Lionel Messi in the side for Inter Miami.
As a result of the mid-season pause for MLS games because of the Leagues Cup tournament, Messi hasn’t made his debut for Inter Miami in league play just yet.
The Argentine legend was orignally supposed to play his first game in Major League Soccer on August 20 at home in DRV PNK Stadium against Charlotte FC, the team they just booted out of Leagues Cup.
But because one of Inter Miami or Charlotte FC were going to advance to the semi-final, that meant one team would be playing in either the final or the third place game on August 19, creating a scheduling issue that made the MLS encounter impossible.
Now, Messi is set to make his Inter Miami debut in MLS on August 26 away from home at Red Bull Arena against New York Red Bulls. Although Red Bulls started the season in terrible fashion and parted ways with Gerhard Struber, the Eastern Conference side are just four points away from a playoff spot and sit in 11th place in their respective standings.
Miami will more than likely be favorites heading into the game, but New York are known to frustrate their opponents with their off-the-ball antics – just ask Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin. It will definitely be an intriguing encounter when Messi plays his first game up north.
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