Goals from Lionel Messi, Josef Martinez, Jordi Alba, and David Ruiz were all on the scoresheet as Inter Miami triumphed 4-1 over Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semi-finals.
The south Florida club started the game in style, with Martinez scoring inside five minutes to propel his side to an early lead. Miami cruised throughout the first half, as Messi scored from a stunning strike from distance so make it nine goals in six appearances for the 36-year-old, and Jordi Alba scored his first goal for the club just before the end of the first half.
Things got a little tricky for Miami in the second half, though. Even with the commanding 3-0 scoreline in their favor, Philadelphia slowly got themselves back into the game and eventually pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute thanks to a close-range finish from substitute and Union fan-favorite Alejandro Bedoya. But it was too little too late for Philly as substitute David Ruiz came on in the latter stages of the game to seal the home side’s elimination from the tournament, bringing the score to 4-1 in favor of the visitors.
As Miami will set their sights on the Leagues Cup final against a tough Nashville SC side on the road again, their backline will have to be in top form again if they are to lift the trophy that 47 clubs entered the competition to win. By defeating the Union, Miami also qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup as they will finish in either first or second place in the tournament (the top three teams in Leagues Cup qualify for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup).
David Beckham’s club have punched their ticket to feature in the 2023 Leagues Cup final against fellow MLS and Eastern Conference team Nashville SC. After taking down one MLS giant on the road, Miami and head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will be looking to do more of the same when they travel to GEODIS Park for the deciding game.
The primetime clash is set to kick-off at 9:00 PM EST on August 20, and both sides will be eager to get off to a fast start. It’s set to be Messi’s second straight road game for Miami, and his third game away from home overall since joining the south Florida side.
Many predicted that Philadelphia Union would be the team to take down Messi, but here we are. Jim Curtin’s squad were unable to stop Miami from being clinical in front of goal, something that Nashville are experts at. Under head coach Gary Smith, Nashville have a tendency to play like the away team at home from time to time, and that could work in their favor with Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar leading the line against Miami’s high line.
As Miami has reached the Leagues Cup semi-final and now final, his MLS debut has been pushed back a further week. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was originally scheduled to make his league debut for the Herons against Charlotte FC at home on August 20. But due to his side’s progression in the tournament, there’s no way Messi and Co. would’ve been able to take part in that game as at the time they would’ve been featuring in either the third-place match or the final.
Messi’s first appearance for Miami as an MLS player will come against New York Red Bulls on August 26 at Red Bull Arena. There’s no denying that New York have struggled this season, but things have started to look better under head coach Troy Lesesne. The Eastern Conference showdown is set for a 7:30 PM EST kick-off.
Messi will also suit up for Inter Miami before that game – but in a different competition. Yes, the Herons have made it all the way to the 2023 US Open Cup semi-finals against FC Cincinnati on August 23 – all without Messi and his Barcelona friends. While Cincinnati have been one of the best teams in MLS in 2023, the Herons will come into the game with plenty of confidence, especially if they go on to win Leagues Cup.
The Lionel Messi era is officially underway – watch live as history unfolds with MLS Season Pass. Click here to subscribe!
