Inter Miami opponents Orlando City are preparing for “the Messi thing”

Lionel Messi has made quite an impact on Inter Miami’s fortunes since making his debut two weeks ago.

The Argentinian World Cup winner joined a team without a win in their previous 11 MLS games, and inspired them to back-to-back victories in the Leagues Cup.

After an injury time winner against Cruz Azul and a slick brace in the 4-0 victory over Atlanta United, a Florida derby is next in line for Messi and Miami. Orlando City secured a comfortable 3-1 win over Miami back in May, but Tata Martino’s side are now a very different proposition.

“We will be ready,” Orlando head coach Oscar Pareja replied, when asked for his thoughts ahead of the clash with Inter Miami.

“It was in our mind in our preparation; no other words in the last week other than Santos. We know that you can [overlook] things and then start thinking ahead, what if? But that was not in our equation, nothing but just beating Santos.”

Orlando needed a 92nd-minute strike from Wilder Cartagena to defeat Santos Laguna and secure top spot in Leagues Cup Group I. That victory set up a Round of 32 meeting with Florida’s other MLS franchise, a Messi-inspired Inter Miami.

“After the [Santos] victory we have to face a team who has been playing well and obviously just to make sure – the Messi thing, right, it is the wave that is bringing a lot of attention and we’re very proud,” Pareja said.

“But we know what we are. We know who we are. And we’re going to go get the victory because we our heart is prepared to do it.”

Messi’s early appearances with Miami have had an air of celebration to them, but the atmosphere will be more tense for the all-Florida fixture on Wednesday, 2 August. Last week a Messi-themed mural was vandalised with purple paint, the colour of Orlando City, and the message ‘FL is Purple’.

The mural has been restored but tensions will be high for the derby game on Friday. Tickets for the hotly-anticipated knockout clash start at $140.