As Inter Miami gears up for the Leagues Cup semifinals against in-state rivals Orlando City SC on Wednesday, the spotlight is squarely on Lionel Messi’s availability. Having missed their thrilling quarterfinal win over Tigres due to a muscle injury sustained during a brief appearance against the Los Angeles Galaxy in mid-August, questions linger about whether he will be fit to play.
Match Details
- Date: Wednesday, Aug. 27
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Live stream: MLS Season Pass
- Odds: Inter Miami -120; Draw +300; Orlando City +260
With 20 goals and 10 assists across all competitions, Messi is on a path to possibly secure another MVP award. His role is crucial for Miami if they hope to repeat their tournament success. There’s optimism surrounding his participation, although recent training reports leave uncertainty about his starting condition.
To complicate matters, Javier Mascherano, who recently received a red card, cannot coach from the sidelines, adding pressure on the team. The rivalry match promises to be intense and will be another chapter in a storied competition.
