Orlando City set for knock-out clash with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami

Oscar Pareja

Photo by Justin Glatt / Orlando Soccer Journal

After a handful of wins on the bounce, Orlando City anticipates a new challenge in their run against a new-look Inter Miami.

The Lions pulled off a 3-1 victory against the Herons during their regular season meeting on May 20 in Fort Lauderdale, but Inter Miami’s mid-season moves put a new twist on this matchup.

Both Florida clubs clash on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at DRV PNK Stadium in the round of 32 of the Leagues Cup. It will be Orlando City’s first taste of Leo Messi and a bolstered Inter Miami following his arrival to the United States.

The Lions are coming off a historic 3-2 victory against Liga MX side Santos Laguna on Saturday, advancing to the knockout rounds of the competition following a late game-winning goal from Wilder Cartagena.

The Herons also look to keep the momentum going following a dominant 4-0 win against Atlanta United on July 25 that sees them with nearly a week of rest ahead of their match on Wednesday.

Messi remains in form, adding a brace to his total tally of three goals in his first two matches with Inter Miami. His former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets also looks to aid the Herons’ run in the tournament, with Jordi Alba now added to the squad.

With plenty of soccer ahead, the winner of Wednesday’s duel moves on to the Round of 16 against the winner of the Mazatlán FC and FC Dallas game in the Leagues Cup.

Orlando will want to keep the momentum and their current win streak going on Wednesday, mainly through an in-form Duncan McGuire who now sits on ten goals in his rookie campaign after scoring in the Lions’ victory against Santos Laguna.


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