Messi enchants in the North American tournament. The winner will receive a very nice bonus.
Kirill Zakatchenko August 4, 2023, 18:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The best team in the League Cup will go directly to the 1/8 final of the North American Champions League.
Lionel Messi broke into North America with force. The multiple Ballon d’Or winner scored five goals in three games for Inter Miami. By the way, Leo has never played in the MLS regular season. We tell you what tournament the Argentine is currently participating in and what victory on the same day. So far, the new star team has reached the 1/8 final.
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Unusual League Cup format
The League Cup is a tournament between the MLS and the clubs of the Mexican league, that is, the strongest teams in North and Central America. It has been held annually since 2019. True, in 2020 the tournament was canceled due to the pandemic, and in 2022 it was played in an exhibition match format due to the tight club schedule. The first winner of the League Cup was the Mexican “Cruz Azul”, the second – “Leon” (also representing Mexico).
This year, 47 clubs participate in the tournament. This is the highest number of all years of the competition. 29 teams represent the USA and Canada, 18 Mexico. The winner of the MLS (Los Angeles) and best Mexican team after the results of the Opening and Closing (Pachuca) immediately obtained places for the 1/16 final. The remaining 45 clubs were divided into 15 groups of three teams each.
Messi in InterMiami
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
In groups, the teams play one round, that is, each club plays two games. The two best teams advance to the 1/16 final. Further, everything is clear – a meeting for departure. If in regulation time the opponents play a draw, they immediately take a penalty. The top three teams qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League for the 2024 season. And the winner of the League Cup gets a place in the round of 16. The tournament’s final and third-place match will take place on August 19.
What conditions were created for Messi in the USA:
Beckham did everything possible for Messi. What have superstars done for comfort?
Who tops the scorer list
Until now, two players occupy the front line among the snipers at a time. One of them you know very well. This is Lionel Messi. The star striker gave Inter victory in the first game with the Mexican Cruz Azul (2-1). The Argentine marked his debut at the new club with a magnificent free kick in the 90+4 minute. Yuga Master!
Four days later, the Miami club destroyed Atlanta United (4: 0) and Messi scored a brace. Leo repeated this number in the 1/16 finals, this time Orlando City suffered from it (3: 1). Thus, in three matches of the tournament, Messi scored five goals.
The same performance was demonstrated by another Argentine, but much less well known. Germán Berterame, 24, represents the Mexican club Monterrey. Unlike Messi, he scored five goals in two group stage games. In a meeting with Real Salt Lake (3: 0), Berterame scored a brace, and in a match with the Seattle Sounders (4: 2) he sent a three-ruble note to his opponent (a penalty goal). Berterame has been playing in Mexico since 2019. For three years he played for Atlético de San Luis, and in 2022 he moved to Monterrey.
Of the players who are not yet in the top 5 scorers, but who deserve a special mention, we highlight Sherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss footballer helped the Chicago Fire reach the playoffs from the top spot. In the match with Minnesota (3: 2) he converted a penalty, and in the match with Puebla (1: 1) he scored from the match. It is true that his team lost in the penalty shootout (Shaqiri himself converted his attempt). Two goals were scored by former Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, who now plays for Los Angeles. His team made it through the group stage, and in the first round of the playoffs they mocked Juárez (7-1). Vela scored a brace and his teammate Denis Buanga scored a hat-trick.
Sherdan Shaqiri and Carlos Vela
Photo: chicagofirefc.com/Getty Images
When will the MLS regular season resume?
Naturally, the MLS and Mexico championships were suspended in connection with the League Cup. The first games in the United States and Canada are scheduled for August 21. Inter Miami will face Charlotte at home, but if Messi’s team reaches the League Cup final, then the match may be rescheduled. By the way, the Miami club had an unsuccessful first part of the season. It sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table and is 12 points behind the playoff zone. By the way, Miami scored 22 goals, the second best finish in the conference. Things are worse only for Toronto (18).
Miami needs to work hard to make the playoffs. It is necessary not only to take as many points as possible, but also to reckon with the failures of competitors. However, Messi’s team has other options to get into the local Champions League. The first is the League Cup (you need to be in the top three). The second is the US Open Cup (you need to win the tournament). Miami has already reached the 1/8 final of the League Cup (game on August 7 with Dallas) and reached the semifinals of the United States Cup (the game with Cincinnati will take place on August 24). So Messi and company are left with the options of two trophies. The Argentine has already played in the European Champions League. Perhaps soon we will see him in the main club tournament in North and Central America.
How Pelé got started in North America:
Even Pelé started in the United States in a more modest way than Messi. And the first assistance was given by a native of the USSR
