Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami continued their winning streak in the Leagues Cup, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a 4-0 victory over Charlotte FC. Messi, who has been in exceptional form since joining the club, scored his eighth goal in just five games. Alongside Messi, Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor also found the back of the net, while Adilson Malanda added an own goal for Charlotte FC.
With this latest goal, Messi has taken the lead in the Leagues Cup golden boot race. Inter Miami’s next challenge will be against Philadelphia Union in the semi-finals. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 15, with kick-off at 7pm ET (12am BST) at Subaru Park, the home of Philadelphia Union.
For fans eager to watch Messi in action, every Leagues Cup match is available via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Select matches are also airing on TUDN and Univision in the United States.
Inter Miami’s journey to this point has been remarkable. They won their round of 16 match against FC Dallas in a thrilling penalty shootout after coming back from a 4-2 deficit to end normal time tied at 4-4. Prior to Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami had not won back-to-back matches in any competition since May.
The Leagues Cup is an exciting new tournament that features all MLS and Liga MX teams. The goal is to determine the three clubs that will qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2024. During this tournament, all 47 first-division clubs in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. are pausing their league seasons from July 21 to August 19.
Messi’s highly anticipated Major League Soccer debut has been postponed due to Inter Miami’s progress in the Leagues Cup. Initially, he was expected to make his first MLS appearance on August 20 against Charlotte FC at DRV Pink Stadium. However, with both clubs qualifying for the latter stages of the Leagues Cup, the fixture has been rescheduled.
Miami’s next scheduled MLS fixture is an away game against New York Red Bulls on August 26. Before his first league outing, Messi may have the opportunity to play in two non-MLS cup competitions. Miami will face FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup semi-finals on August 23.
The arrival of Lionel Messi has undoubtedly brought a new level of excitement to Inter Miami. His exceptional performances and goal-scoring prowess have propelled the team to new heights in the Leagues Cup. Fans eagerly await his MLS debut and the impact he will undoubtedly have on the league.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s success with Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup has been remarkable. His goal-scoring prowess has put him in the lead for the golden boot race, and fans are eagerly anticipating his MLS debut. With each game, Messi continues to showcase his talent and elevate the performance of his team. As Inter Miami progresses in the tournament, the excitement surrounding Messi’s presence only grows stronger.