MLS
Major challenges ahead for Leo Messi and Inter Miami
Lionel Messi is now officially a new Inter Miami player and faces stern challenges with the club struggling in MLS this season.
After the dust has settled on the party in Fort Lauderdale as Lionel Messi was officially unveiled as a new Inter Miami player, thoughts turn to the task at hand for the South Florida outfit with the Argentine captain in the ranks.
First up for the team is a Leagues Cup opener at the DRV PNK Stadium as the Herons face Liga MX side Cruz Azul on Friday with demand for tickets for Messi’s debut leading to crazy prices in the second hand ticket market.
The only realistic silverware on the table for Inter this season is a tilt at the Leagues Cup and the Herons have progressed to the semi-final stage of the US Open Cup for the first time in their short history but face a tough test as the travel to face FC Cincinnati in the semi-final.
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Messi’s Miami MLS challenge
Messi arrives with David Beckham’s team currently bottom of the MLS overall standings. The Miami side have 18 points, the product of five wins, three draws and 14 defeats.
Currently, Inter are 12 points away from a place in the ‘Play In’, but 18 points from the direct places in the Playoffs and the handicap facing the Florida side is that only 12 games remain in the regular season.
The last victory recorded by Inter Miami in MLS was two months ago when they overcame New England Revolution at the DRV PNK Stadium and with goals from David Ruiz and Josef Martínez being enough to secure maximum points.