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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Inter Miami CF will be without star forward Lionel Messi for Wednesday’s MLS match against Orlando City SC due to a right leg injury sustained during the team’s Leagues Cup victory over Necaxa on August 15th at DRV PNK Stadium. The injury occurred in the 53rd minute of the match, prompting his substitution with Robert Taylor.
Inter Miami advanced to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals after finishing second in their group with eight points from three matches. they secured wins against Pumas UNAM (4-0) on July 21st and Atlas (2-1) on July 25th,alongside a 2-2 draw with Necaxa,ultimately winning the ensuing penalty shootout 4-3 to earn an additional point. The team’s overall record in the Leagues Cup group stage was 2 wins, 1 draw, and 0 losses.
Next, Inter Miami will face liga MX side Tigres UANL on August 20th at shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, as part of the leagues cup quarterfinals. The match is scheduled for an 8:00 PM ET kickoff and will be broadcast on ESPN and TUDN.
“Tigres is a great team, they showed that last night against Puebla, it is a team with players of hierarchy that always fights for vital things in their league and internationally,” said Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Mascherano. “but when you play these tournaments, when you pretend you can cross one or the other, it isn’t in our hands to control that.”
Mascherano emphasized the team’s focus on both the Leagues Cup and upcoming MLS fixtures. Inter Miami currently holds 18 points in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, placing them 14th. Their remaining MLS schedule includes matches against Charlotte FC on August 23rd and LAFC on August 27th.
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“We did what was in our hands to qualify, by a little we couldn’t be leaders but now we will try to focus on the two upcoming MLS matches than we will focus on the Leagues Cup match.”
Mascherano stressed the importance of player health management given the demanding schedule. “We play to win, and to win all games. If we have the possibility to finish the regular season in first place that would be great, it’s good in terms of the advantages you can have in playoffs but
