Perhaps the biggest sporting transaction ever in American in the history of sports, Lionel Messi’s transfer into Major League Soccer is an important step for soccer’s expansion across the U.S. Messi has been a star in LA Liga, Ligue 1, the Champions League and the World Cup. Then, he has an entirely new challenge in the form of Inter Miami.
Miami is currently in 15th place at the lowest in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. With only 12 games remaining during the regular season, Miami has to climb up to ninth to qualify for the playoffs. If Miami can reach the ninth place, it will face the team in eighth place in a wild-card match to be eligible for The first round of MLS Cup playoffs.
Fortunately for Messi, it is an interruption in the regular season to play in the Leagues Cup, a month-long tournament that includes teams from all MLS and Liga MX teams (47 teams in all) scheduled to run from Jul. 21 through August. 19. Miami’s MLS season will pick on Aug. 20 at Charlotte FC, and Miami is also in the semifinals in the U.S. Open Cup against FC cincinnati in august. 23.
As of now, his total is:
Games played: 3
Goals: 5
Assists: 1
In total, Messi could win three awards during his debut MLS season:
Leagues Cup: Round of 16; Next game is august 6. FC dallas
U.S. Open Cup: Semifinals, The next game is in august. 23 against. FC cincinnati
MLS Cup:15th spot in the Eastern Conference (top nine sides are eligible for playoffs). The next game is on Aug. 20. 20 against Charlotte FC