Lionel Messi will showcase his skills away from Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium for the first time as the team advances to the Leagues Cup Round of 16.
The Argentine maestro demonstrated his brilliance once again, securing his third consecutive game with a brace, leading Inter Miami to a commanding 3-1 victory over Orlando City.
Messi’s goals in three games with Inter Miami:
Left foot: ⚽️⚽️
Right foot: ⚽️⚽️⚽️🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/eq6Tq1FVow
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 3, 2023
The win paves the way for an exciting matchup against FC Dallas, who secured a 2-1 victory against Liga MX club Mazatlán FC. The clash between the two MLS sides is scheduled for Sunday, August 6, with the exact match time yet to be confirmed. The venue will be Toyota Stadium, with a capacity for 20,500 fans.
Tickets for the game will be available for purchase starting Thursday, offering a price range from $199 to $499.
Red-hot form of Lionel Messi
Since making his debut against Cruz Azul, Lionel Messi has been in sensational form for Inter Miami. In just three matches, the Argentine star has netted five goals and assisted in another.
Messi’s partnership with Finnish midfielder Robert Taylor is proving to be a key factor for Miami. Together, they displayed their chemistry in a dominant 4-0 victory over Atlanta, with each player scoring twice. In the recent game against Orlando, Taylor once again set up Messi brilliantly, leading to Inter Miami’s early lead in the seventh minute.
That man Messi 🔥
Robert Taylor drops a dime to Messi for the #InterMiamiCF goal. pic.twitter.com/KH8bMykPd4
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 3, 2023
Former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba significantly bolster the Miami side with their experience and skill. Busquets started the game, lending his expertise from the beginning, while Jordi Alba made a valuable impact coming off the bench in the second half.
Despite previously ranking as the lowest team in the Western Conference of MLS, Inter Miami’s newfound form, fueled by Lionel Messi’s signature, has allowed them to perform remarkably well against stronger opponents in the Leagues Cup.
The reason why FC Dallas will host Inter Miami despite being the lower-seeded team
Lionel Messi’s upcoming trip to the Lone Star State, Texas, has left some fans puzzled, given that FC Dallas is the lower-seeded team from group play.
However, the reason behind this decision is straightforward: Leagues Cup rules dictate that the venue host for the Round of 16 between two MLS clubs is awarded to the team with the better 2022 MLS performance.
Should be a fun one.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 11AM CT. pic.twitter.com/fHPjkgFChP
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) August 3, 2023
FC Dallas earned a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs, whereas Inter Miami had a challenging season and ranked among the worst teams in the league in 2022.
As a result, Messi will now have to face the home crowd of FC Dallas, who will undoubtedly create a hostile atmosphere to challenge the Argentine superstar and disrupt his impressive form against their team.