On Wednesday night at DVR PNK Stadium, Messi resumed his hegemony over Major League Soccer. In their Round of 32 Leagues Cup match in Fort Lauderdale, Messi scored twice to help Inter Miami defeat Orlando City SC by a score of 3-1.
Since joining Miami and the MLS, he has scored five goals in just three games, making him the Leagues Cup’s top scorer.
Messi nearly immediately got the party started. Messi scored in just the seventh minute of the game following an approximately 90-minute rain delay. He easily scored to give them a 1-0 lead after catching what seemed like a dime from Robert Taylor in the middle of the box.
Even though it was his fourth goal in Miami, the advantage wasn’t maintained for very long.
César Arajo of Orlando scored the equalizer in the 16th minute after a deflection in the penalty area. A few minutes later, Messi was also issued his first club caution for tackling Wilder Cartagena.
Later in the first half, Messi missed a couple shots, while Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese skillfully stopped a free kick late in the half to hold the score at 1-1.
Miami then swiftly scored in the second half following a foul on Josef Martnez inside the box. Miami regained the lead after Martnez took the penalty kick and hammered it wonderfully.
The game was subsequently declared won after Messi scored once more in the 71st minute.
Messi scored another goal by catching a chip pass from Martnez in front of the net after Taylor controlled another great pass.After that, Miami held on to win 3-1, advancing them to the Round of 16.
Since moving to Miami a little less than a month ago, Messi has now scored five goals. In his first Leagues Cup match for the team against Cruz Azul, he scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time. The following week, he scored twice in just 22 minutes against Atlanta United. He now leads the Leagues Cup in goals scored and is just one assist away from taking the top spot in assists.
Miami’s two victories allowed them to advance to the Leagues Cup’s knockout phase, where they will face Orlando on Wednesday.
Miami will face FC Dallas in the next round if they win, since FC Dallas defeated Mazatlan FC 2-1 earlier on Wednesday night in the Round of 32. Eugene Anash and Alan Velasco both scored goals in the victory for Dallas. After defeating Santos Laguna and Houston Dynamo on penalties, Orlando City advanced to the knockout round.
Although Miami has the worst record in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, Messi has had a significant impact on the team. Since he arrived, they haven’t lost a game, and no one seemed to be able to stop him. On Monday, Dallas will get the chance.