In his first-ever Major League Soccer action, Lionel Messi scored and Inter Miami won.
Try not to act too shocked.
Messi brought excellent form to begin his North American career in cup competition, leading Inter Miami to a Leagues Cup title and then to an Open Cup semifinal victory over FC Cincinnati.
Saturday’s matchup with the New York Red Bulls was the first MLS match for Inter Miami since the arrivals of Messi and his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Amid a crowded set of fixtures, Messi and Busquets were rested in New York while Alba started the game.
However, Messi and Busquets entered the contest (along with United States international DeAndre Yedlin) with 30 minutes remaining — and yes, as noted, Messi still scored as a substitute.
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The 2-0 win over the Red Bulls pulled Inter off the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Still unbeaten since the arrival of Messi, next up is a team with revenge on their mind.
Miami hosts Nashville SC, the same side Inter defeated in the Leagues Cup final. It took a long shootout, which indicates a close fight could be on the docket for MLS fans.
With 21 points (14th place), Inter still sits 11 points back from a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Nashville will want to add to their 38 points which sees them positioned seventh in the table.
Here is everything you need to know to catch all the action:
Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC
- When: Wednesday, August 30
- Where: DRV PNK Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel/streaming: Apple TV
MLS Starting Lineups
Inter Miami possible lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Kryvstov, Miller, Alba; Cremaschi, Busquets, Arroyo; Messi, Taylor, Martinez
Nashville possible lineup:
Willis; MacNaughton, Zimmerman, Bauer, Lovitz; Muyl, McCarty, Anunga, Leal; Mukhtar, Bunbury
MLS Odds and betting lines
MLS odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Monday at 4:33 p.m.
Inter Miami (-195) vs. Nashville SC (+480)
Draw: (+330)
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