Orlando City faces a differnt Inter Miami with Lionel Messi
Orlando City continues its Leagues Cup campaign, but this time its a high-profile matchup in the Round of 32 vs. Inter Miami — and Lionel Messi.
Kickoff is 8 p.m. Wednesday at DRV PNK Stadium and the game airs on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
The Lions emerged victorious the last time these teams faced off, claiming a 3-1 victory vs. Miami in May. This is not the same Inter Miami, however, as Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have joined forces in MLS.
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“Advancing is always the objective and we know that we are walking into a very difficult away match,” said Lions defender Antonio Carlos. “This is a team that has great players. They have one particularly great player, but we have them, too.”
Miami has won its first two Leagues Cup matches by a combined score of 6-1 and Orlando will be hard-pressed to stop its potent attacking threat. The Lions conceded 2 goals in their 3-2 thriller win over Santos Laguna over the weekend and will need to be much more tactically sound.
“We are very excited to participate in this tournament not just because of the importance of the Florida Derby and the attention that the game itself is going to bring, but also because of the position where our players have taken the club,” said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. “We are in a position where we can be very optimistic about advancing [Wednesday] and to the next round. We are excited, prepared and ready to play.”
John Raoux/AP
Orlando City’s defense is more sound with Antonio Carlos, moving the ball against Houston during a Leagues Cup match. (John Raoux/AP)
Red-hot Orlando forward Duncan McGuire will aim to add to his scoring streak against Miami, scoring in each of the last two Leagues Cup games. The Lions know he isn’t the only player who needs to step up, however, and they will be fired up for the chance to be the first MLS team to beat Messi and company.
“This is a game of life or death,” Carlos said. “We know that we need the results and we’re hoping to go there and get a result just as we did earlier this season.”
