Inter Miami’s Finals series playoff ambitions in Major League Soccer got a little loftier as Lionel Messi and Jordan Alba were subbed out during the first-half of their match against Toronto FC due to apparent injuries.
Both Messi and Alba didn’t make it to half-time. Alba was seen to have ice on his right hamstring after being subbed out of the game for Noah Allen in the 33rd minute of the first-half. Minutes later, Messi’s return to the pitch after nearly a two-week rest was disappointingly cut short. A disgruntled Messi handed over the armband to Yedlin before we wobbled off the field to be subbed out due to muscle fatigue.
The rest of the Inter Miami squad got the job done, sweeping Toronto FC in a 4-0 victory at DRV PNK Stadium.
After the match, Gerardo Martino told reporters that both Alba and Messi would not be available to play against Orlando City on Sunday. “There is no chance they will be there on Sunday. I know we have a final to play [next Wednesday] but they won’t go near the pitch if they can’t play,” said Martino. Both players are considered to be day-to-day.
Inter Miami will face off against the Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final next Wednesday. Messi and Alba’s availability for that important match is still up in the air, but a level-headed Gerardo Martino will surely make the best decisions moving forward, for his players and for the club.
According to the Major League Soccer 2023 odds at SBOTOP, Inter Miami are the favourites to win against Houston Dynamo in the cup final. Inter are priced at 1.57 to win, while Houston Dynamo are humbly priced at 4.10 to win and 4.20 to draw.
“They have used Messi since the moment it was announced to sell and to hype absolutely everything both on and off the field. I think that, whether it’s Inter Miami or MLS, if they have information and he is not going to play, they need to make it very clear.” Lalas said.
Transparency Issues
Former United States men’s national soccer team defender Alexi Lalas came to his podcast “State of the Union Podcast” and was adamant that both Inter Miami and MLS should be more transparent about Lionel Messi’s availability and injury status for matches ahead of time.
MLS commissioner Don Garber, regarding this issue: “No league commissioner can force any team or player to do what is not in the best interest, health and safety of the player.”
It is understandable for fans to feel disappointed every time the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner does not suit up for Inter. MLS is one of the hottest leagues right now, and ticket prices have been skyrocketing since the Argentinian legend signed with Miami, so fans expect to get every dime’s worth of their hard-earned money.
MLS terminates Miljevic
In other recent Major League Soccer 2023 news, CF Montreal forward Matko Miljevic had his contract terminated by the MLS after playing in an amateur league game and getting banned for allegedly punching an opponent.
Canadian media reports affirmed that the Montreal Forward was participating in a Quebec indoor amateur soccer league, which violates his playing agreement contract with Montreal. Reports claim that Milijevic signed up for the amateur league under a fake name. To add insult to injury, Miljevic got banned from said amateur league after punching another player in the face.
It seems like CF Montreal have things under control and are on top of this whole debacle. “We were made aware of the situation, and there is an open investigation into this matter,” CF Montreal head coach Hernan Losada stated.
“Matko will not be in training until everything is resolved. The people who need to make decisions will make them, but it’s not for me to give my opinion while we’re in the middle of an investigation …” Losada added.
Philadelphia Union clinch MLS Cup Playoffs spot
The Philadelphia Union continued their playoff streak this season. The club’s consistency in the MLS is impressive, to say the least.
This will be their sixth-straight appearance in the MLS Cup playoffs. Every year since 2019, the Philadelphia Union have had stellar seasons and made deep runs into the playoffs. They also won the Supporters’ Shield in 2020.
Now, Union’s goal is to secure a place at the top four so they can capitalise on a home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Head coach Jim Curtin and his team are poised to make yet another deep playoff run this season, and possibly lift the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy this time around.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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