Inter Miami vs Orlando City live score, updates, highlights with Messi’s Leagues Cup match in weather delay

August 3, 2023August 3, 2023 Admin

Lionel Messi is back in action as Inter Miami begin Leagues Cup knockout stage play with a Round of 32 matchup on Wednesday against Orlando City SC.

It’s Messi’s first taste of an in-state rivalry, with the two Florida-based clubs meeting for the second time this year. Orlando City won the first meeting, a late-May MLS matchup that finished 3-1 on goals from Ercan Kara, Martin Ojeda, and Rafael Santos.

This time around, things will be much different, as the greatest player in history is involved. Messi led the charge as Inter Miami topped their Leagues Cup group, scoring the late winner against Cruz Azul and bagging two goals against Atlanta United.

Those two victories earned Inter Miami a home match in the Round of 32, with Orlando City set to visit DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The Lions won their group as well, but finished with one less point than Miami after drawing Houston Dynamo in their opener.

The Sporting News is following the Inter Miami vs Orlando City match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

MORE: Messi’s Miami apartment | Messi’s wife & family | Messi’s net worth

Inter Miami vs Orlando City live score

** THIS MATCH IS CURRENTLY IN A WEATHER DELAY ** (Play to resume at 9:35pm ET)

	Score (1H)	Goal scorers
Inter Miami	0	—
Orlando City	0	—

Starting lineups:

Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Callender (GK) — 2. Yedlin, 27. Kryvtsov, 31. Miller, 32. Allen — 3. Arroyo, 5. Busquets, 30. Cremaschi — 10. Messi, 17. J. Martinez, 16. Taylor.

Orlando City (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Gallese (GK) — 24. Smith, 25. Carlos, 6. Jansson, 3. Santos — 5. Araujo, 16. Cartagena — 17. F. Torres, 10. M. Pereira, 77. Angulo — 13. McGuire.

MORE: Inter Miami beginner’s guide | Messi’s new stadium | Club owners | New coach

Inter Miami vs Orlando City live updates, highlights, commentary

Delay (8:45pm ET): We finally have official word from Leagues Cup officials at DRV PNK Stadium. The players will be allowed back on the field to begin their warmups at 8:50 p.m. ET, and the match will kick off at 9:35 p.m. ET.

That’s a long way away, mostly because the players were barely allowed time to begin warmups when the weather arrived. They need to be given requisite time to complete their warmups for player safety purposes.

This evening’s match between @InterMiamiCF vs. @OrlandoCitySC new planned kickoff time is 9:35pm ET.

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 3, 2023

Delay (8:35pm ET): Workers have started tending to the DRV PNK Stadium pitch, as the rain appears to have let up. No word on a start time yet, but this is another good sign.

UPDATE: We have movement! Could signify a potential restart to warm-ups.#MIAvORL pic.twitter.com/FYOqcery6d

— Austin David (@AustinDavid22) August 3, 2023

Delay (8:25pm ET): A peek at the radar does show that the rain appears to finally be starting to taper off. No official word yet, but a positive sign at least.

It is notable that the most important aspect of the weather with regards to the delay is lightning, not rain, but an inspection of the pitch will be required as well, to see how playable it is after taking on so much water.

Delay (8:15pm ET): The pitch at DRV PNK Stadium appears to be having trouble soaking up the significant amounts of rain.

🌧️ Aparecen Los Charcos!

The field is taking the brunt of the storm, with large puddles appearing throughout the field.

The rain isn’t letting up either.#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 #VamosOrlando #LeaguesCup pic.twitter.com/fSGVINq6Xs

— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) August 3, 2023

Delay (8pm ET): Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami has brought the stars out to see him play. Kim Kardashian was on hand to watch Messi’s debut over a week ago, while DJ Khaled was in attendance for his first start.

Today, New York Yankee legend Derek Jeter is in the crowd to watch Messi play.

Salute the captain @derekjeter 🫡 pic.twitter.com/pNjBGea8NF

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2023

5 mins to kick: The rain is coming down quite hard in Ft. Lauderdale, but these storm cells usually blow through relatively quickly in Florida, so hopefully that holds true here.

At this point, there is no word on when this match could kick off. We’ll need to wait for the weather to show signs of clearing before that can happen. If lightning continues, so does the delay.

It is raining. pic.twitter.com/0zB7yTFQwV

— Alexander Abnos (@AnAbnos) August 2, 2023

The wind is swirling so hard that a lot of the rain isn’t even coming down it’s just rotating mid air.

— Ian Hest (@IanHest) August 2, 2023

15 mins to kick: And, as we thought was a possibility somewhat earlier, the match is officially in a lightning delay. It shouldn’t be a long one, but there’s a mandatory 30 minute pause when lightning is in the vicinity, so the game will not start on time.

Welp, we’ve got a lightning delay here in Fort Lauderdale. Cell to the west just scraping us on the way by.

— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) August 2, 2023

20 mins to kick: Orlando City fans have brought the vitriol of an in-state rivalry with them south to Ft. Lauderdale! The visiting supporters aren’t going to get themselves wrapped up in being awe-struck by the greats wearing enemy colors tonight, at least not from the start.

A healthy turnout of rowdy Orlando City fans have made their way to Drv Pnk Stadium, and are currently entering the stadium.

“F— Miami!” chants ring out.#InterMiamiCF #Messi𓃵 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/Q0DtnXpJy0

— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) August 2, 2023

30 mins to kick: The weather over Ft. Lauderdale appears threatening, and it’s possible we get a lightning delay to begin this match. Florida is known for its pop-up thunderstorms around this time in the evening, and while they usually don’t last too long, it could mean the start of this match may be pushed back for safety concerns.

Messi is out for warm-ups ahead of tonight’s knockout game. Storm clouds loom overhead. Hoping to avoid a lightning delay. pic.twitter.com/4SOwEDqFYX

— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) August 2, 2023

40 mins to kick: Lineups are now out, and as expected, Tata Martino names an unchanged side from the Inter Miami XI that trounced Atlanta United last time out in the second group match. Lionel Messi and Sergino Busquets start, with Jordi Alba on the bench.

For Orlando City, it’s the same story, also an unchanged side from the last-gasp victory over Santos Laguna last time out. Midfielder Wilder Cartagena scored a 92nd minute winner to see Orlando City top their Leagues Cup group.

50 mins to kick: Lineups have still not yet been released, so we look at the venue for tonight’s match, DRV PNK Stadium. Orlando City will be hoping to take the color out of the arena, but for Lionel Messi’s first two games in pink, it’s been bumping.

Inter Miami will move to a more permanent venue in 2025 which is closer to their actual city of Miami, but for now they play in the 18,000 seat Ft. Lauderdale venue, which has turned up well for Messi’s first two matches.

The stage is set. #LeaguesCup2023 | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/q9Rt76kgWK

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 2, 2023

1 hour 15 mins to kick: According to apparel company Fanatics, the first 24 hours of sales for Lionel Messi’s jersey with Inter Miami resulted in the best day of sales for any athlete changing teams in the history of sports. He’s a global sensation, and it’s been a defining moment in the history of soccer in the U.S.

The first 24 hours of Lionel Messi Inter Miami jersey sales were the BEST 24 hours of any player changing teams across all sports. It edged out:

– Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, 2021)
– Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2020)
– LeBron James (Lakers, 2018)

(via Fanatics) pic.twitter.com/dObKPH4veP

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 2, 2023

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Gaston Edul of TyC Sports reports that Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets will start today for Inter Miami, with Jordi Alba likely to come off the bench as he builds up full match fitness.

Inter Miami are in need of a left-back, so Alba’s addition is a welcome one. Franco Negri tore his ACL, and current starter Noah Allen is just 19 years old.

Leo Messi y Sergio Busquets van a ser titulares esta noche.
Jordi Alba va a ir al banco de suplentes y seguro sumará algunos minutos.

— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) August 2, 2023

1 hour 45 mins to kick: The Leagues Cup is only just starting its knockout stage, and already we’ve seen some utterly wild moments around the competition. Through just the group stage, there’s already been a 16-round penalty shootout, a 10-round penalty shootout, a 4-2 result on a 2-0 comeback, seven stoppage-time goals to earn points, and a goalkeeper score a penalty.

The 45 group stage games featured 158 goals, for an average of 3.38 goals per game. What else is in store for the knockout rounds?

Elite night of Leagues Cup action this evening

15 goals across 240 mins in 4 games (so far)
2 weather delays
GK scores a penalty
Dayne St. Clair screams “YOU DON’T HAVE THE BALLS” at Shaqiri pic.twitter.com/POQ1PjWIkn

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 28, 2023

2 hours to kickoff: Lionel Messi’s three goals put him tied for third (with five other players) among top goal scorers in the Leagues Cup. He’s two behind the leader German Berterame of Monterrey, who has five after a hat-trick against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.

Leagues Cup League Leaders:

Goals

1. G. Berterame (#Monterrey) 5
2T. D. Gazdag (#Doop) 4
2T. B. Hlongwane (#MNUFC) 4
2T. Vazquez (#allforcincy) 4

Assists

1T.A. Aldrete (#UNAM) 3
1T. J. Bueno (#Doop) 3
1T. J. Shaffelburg (#everyoneN) 3
1T L. Suárez (#ClubAmerica) 3… pic.twitter.com/dqkVCEwEZ3

— Favian Renkel (@FavianRenkel) August 1, 2023

Inter Miami vs Orlando City lineups, team news

Aside from long-term absentees Gregore, Jean Mota, Corentin Jean, Franco Negri, and Ian Fray, there are no injury issues for Inter Miami. They will, however, be missing Christopher McVey who is suspended following his late red card against Atlanta United after entering as a sub.

Today, Head coach Tata Martino makes no changes to the starting lineup that picked Atlanta United apart. Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets looked as if they had played in this side for years, wonderfully in sync with teammates like Robert Taylor and Benja Cremaschi.

New arrival Jordi Alba has only been with the club for a few days, and while he doesn’t start, he is likely to make an appearance off the bench.

Inter Miami starting lineup (4-3-3): Callender (GK) — Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Allen — Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi — Messi, J. Martinez, Taylor.

Inter Miami subs (12): Jensen (GK), Dos Santos (GK), Sailor, Alba, Neville, Ulloa, Azcona, D. Gomez, D. Ruiz, Borgelin, R. Robinson, Campana.

Orlando City manager Oscar Pareja has maintained a relatively consistent starting lineup, making just one change between his two Leagues Cup games. He installed Mauricio Pereira into the XI against Santos Laguna, to great effect, as the Uruguayan was central to their three-goal haul. Pereira keeps his place here in an unchanged Orlando City lineup.

Slight muscle problems for Michael Halliday, Gaston Gonzalez, and Junior Urso are the only injury issues for Pareja to worry about here.

Orlando City starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Gallese (GK) — Smith, Carlos, Jansson, Santos — Araujo, Cartagena — F. Torres, M. Pereira, Angulo — McGuire.

Orlando City subs (12): Stajduhar (GK), Grinwis (GK), Schlegel, Petrasso, Salim, Ojeda, Felipe, Thorhallson, S. Mohammed, Enrique, Lynn, Kara.

How to watch Inter Miami vs Orlando City live stream

Date: Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST (Thu, Aug. 3) / 10 a.m. AEST (Thu, Aug. 3)
TV Channel: — None —
Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

The entirety of the Leagues Cup is being streamed on MLS Season Pass which can be found on Apple TV.

With the MLS season past the halfway mark, Apple has slashed the price on subscriptions for MLS Season Pass, with new users able to jump in at 50 percent off for the rest of the year.

And Apple is going all in on the Messi boost. For Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup matches, MLS Season Pass features “an enhanced production” with “18 cameras, Steadicam, four super slow-motion cameras, Skycam, a drone, sideline reporters in Spanish and English, a dedicated one-hour pregame show on site with features, interviews and expert analysis, and a postgame show to wrap things up.”

MORE: Can Messi win MLS title? | Records he can break | Trophies he can win

Inter Miami vs Orlando City betting odds

Inter Miami are favorites to win their Round of 32 knockout stage match against Orlando City, but it’s an in-state rivalry match, and the opponent has had time to prepare for Lionel Messi’s integration into Inter Miami, so the disparity isn’t massive, and Orlando are given a sniff at advancing.

Interestingly, while goals are expected given Messi’s presence in the squad and his performances against Atlanta United, there’s still an expectation that hitting the 2.5 goal threshold will be somewhat in question.