On the night of August 27-28, Inter Miami defeated Orlando City 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and advanced to the League Cup final. Thanks to a brace from Lionel Messi, the Floridians continued their impressive run. 45+ minutes: Croatian Marko Pašalić opened the scoring for Miami just before halftime.
75th minute: Orlando’s David Brekalo of Slovenia received a second yellow card and was sent off. 76th minute: Lionel Messi converted the penalty, doubling the lead. 88th minute: Jordi Alba set up Messi, who scored twice to make it 3-0. 90+ minutes: Telasco Segovia, assisted by Luis Suárez, scored the third goal, sealing the victory.
The game changed in key moments: 45+’ – Just before halftime, Marko Pašalić surprised the Orlando defense and opened the scoring for Miami. 75th – Slovenian David Brekalo committed an avoidable foul and received a second yellow card. Orlando was reduced to ten men. 76th – One minute after the sending-off, Lionel Messi converted the penalty and made it two points. 88th – Messi scored his second goal on a precise pass from Jordi Alba, reinforcing their close friendship with Barcelona. 90+’ – In added time, Telasco Segovia, assisted by Luis Suárez, completed the victory with the third goal.Collective impact: Inter Miami has gone from a win rate of 28% before Messi to 65% since his arrival. These figures demonstrate that Messi is more than just a media star: he remains a decisive and statistically dominant player. At 37, Messi continues to change the outcome of matches: Composed on the penalty kick, converted immediately after an opponent’s sending off.
Perfect positioning and finishing for his second goal, reminiscent of his Barcelona partnership with Jordi Alba. Invisible leadership: his mere presence pushes the team to play higher and more freely. Final score: Inter Miami 3 – 1 Orlando City. At 37, Messi remains the absolute benchmark: His precision from the penalty spot and his opportunism in open play turned the tide of the match. His complementarity with Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez illustrates the experience of this trio, which dominates opposing defenses. Each appearance by Messi in the League Cup reinforces the tournament’s international visibility. His brace confirms that Inter Miami is not just a marketing project, but a team capable of challenging for trophies. Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami has gone: from an average MLS team to a feared team;
from a club under construction to a global brand; from an outsider to a contender for domestic and continental titles. The Florida club benefits from a unique dynamic: record attendance, booming jersey sales, and international media coverage. Los Angeles Galaxy Strengths: Powerful attack, rich history with multiple MLS titles, loyal fans. Weaknesses: Flimsy defense, sometimes struggling against fast-paced attacks like Miami’s. Seattle Sounders Strengths: Team spirit, tactical rigor, experience in major tournaments (CONCACAF Champions League winners in 2022). Weaknesses: Lack of attacking depth compared to Miami’s stars. In both cases, Inter Miami will start as favorites, but each opponent represents a serious obstacle. For Messi and Inter Miami, this final has twofold significance: On a sporting level: winning a title would strengthen the team’s legitimacy in North America.
On a symbolic level: a trophy in Messi’s first full season would confirm his role as savior and builder of the Florida project. The match against Orlando once again proved that the former FC Barcelona trio is wreaking havoc in MLS: Messi finishes plays.Alba creates gaps with his crosses and sharp passes. Suárez attracts defenders and creates space, while continuing to score. This complementarity gives Inter a “mini-Barça” feel, MLS version. Since his arrival in 2023: Goals scored (all competitions): more than 40.Assisted passes: nearly 20.Direct involvement: a goal or assist every 72 minutes on average.
With his brace, Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to the League Cup final and confirmed that he remains the key player, even at 37. If Miami wins the title, it will be further proof that the Argentine’s arrival has not only marked the history of American football, but is in the process of rewriting it. Media: Every match is followed worldwide, the stadiums are full. Economic: Explosion in jersey sales, increase in Apple TV subscriptions thanks to the MLS Season Pass.
Sporting: Young local players are progressing by playing alongside legends. In less than two years, Messi has already transformed the face of MLS and the League Cup. Los Angeles Galaxy: An impressive attack, but a fragile defense that could suffer against Messi. Seattle Sounders: A team-oriented and tactical organization, but a lack of stars capable of individually competing with the Argentine. Whoever wins, Inter Miami will be the favorite.
