Behind the Scenes: Mascherano Labels Potential Messi vs. Orlando Clash as Insane
Lionel Messi has been a beacon of hope for Inter Miami since their Club World Cup exit, scoring eight of the team's 13 Major League Soccer (MLS) goals. However, his recent muscle injury during a Leagues Cup game against Necaxa on August 2 has raised concerns.
Messi underwent treatment and returned to training with Inter Miami on August 13. He is expected to be available for the upcoming MLS matches, starting with the game against LA Galaxy on August 16[1][3][4][5].
Unfortunately, Messi will miss Inter Miami's derby matchup with Orlando City on August 14. The team will have to rely on other players, with only one other - Telasco Segovia - netting multiple goals in the same span as Messi[2].
Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami's coach, wants the team to take confidence from their Leagues Cup performance. Despite missing Messi, the team managed to finish second in the MLS group, only behind the Seattle Sounders[6].
Mascherano's strategy is to treat the remaining 12 MLS games with the aim of winning all 12. This approach could potentially see Miami go top of the Eastern Conference if they win their three games in hand over the current leaders, the Philadelphia Union[7].
Inter Miami's return to MLS action is against Florida neighbours Orlando on Sunday. Orlando City has an impressive record against Miami, being unbeaten in their seven all-time home meetings (two wins, five draws)[8].
Miami can look back on last year with pride, as they smashed the all-time regular-season points record with 74[9]. The requirements and responsibility at this club are clear: to go out and win all games they play[10].
If possible, Miami aim to play all three Leagues Cup games and win the Cup. They will have to balance their MLS and Leagues Cup commitments carefully, focusing on their upcoming MLS matches before shifting their attention to the Leagues Cup match against Tigres UNAL in the last eight, which is scheduled for August 20[11].
Mascherano knows that topping the table will count for little if they fail to back it up in the playoffs, as Miami were stunned in the first round of the postseason by Atlanta United last year[12]. The team will need to stay focused and motivated to achieve their goals.
[1] https://www.espn.com/soccer/mls/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [2] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [3] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [4] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [5] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [6] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [7] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [8] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [9] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [10] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [11] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy [12] https://www.espn.com/soccer/miami/story/4568745/lionel-messi-fit-for-inter-miamis-next-mls-game-against-la-galaxy
Sports have returned to Inter Miami after Lionel Messi's recovery from his injury, and he is anticipated to participate in the upcoming MLS matches, including football against LA Galaxy. Despite missing some games, Miami still aims to win all of their remaining MLS games, with the possibility of going top of the Eastern Conference.
