Messi Targets Debut MLS Trophy as Miami Take on Mueller's Vancouver
Lionel Messi seeks to cap his MLS transformation by guiding Inter Miami to their inaugural domestic title on Saturday, in a thrilling season climax versus the rising Vancouver Whitecaps.
Two years on from revolutionising Major League Soccer with his move to Florida, the 38 year old Argentine icon stands poised to secure the championship that Miami has longed for since entering MLS as a new franchise in 2020.
Following a challenging beginning to the campaign, Messi has orchestrated a stunning Miami postseason surge, highlighted by the team scoring 17 goals across five matches.
However, standing in the way of Messi and Miami lies a dynamic Vancouver outfit bolstered by German legend Thomas Mueller, whose arrival in August has enhanced the already formidable Whitecaps forward line.
Mueller and Messi represent two of four World Cup victors, including Inters Sergio Busquets and Argentinas Rodrigo De Paul, set to grace the pitch at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale for an MLS Cup showdown that excites marketers.
That said, Mueller has sought to dismiss ideas of Saturdays match as a personal showdown between him and Messi.
"It is not Messi versus Thomas Mueller," he remarked after Vancouvers impressive 3-1 victory over San Diego in the Western Conference decider on Saturday. "It is Miami versus the Whitecaps."
Miamis spot in the final seemed improbable back in April, when Javier Mascheranos veteran squad managed just two victories in eight outings and appeared sorely lacking in vitality.
That poor run encompassed a 5-1 overall loss to Vancouver in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Unable to sprint, unable to protect
"They cannot run, they cannot defend, and there is no equilibrium in the squad," came the harsh assessment from one television commentator, with many in agreement.
Nevertheless, advance eight months and Miami emerges as a revitalised force.
The signing of Argentine midfielder De Paul has injected Miami with greater resilience and dynamism, whilst Mascheranos choice to bench the 38 year old Luis Suarez in preference for 19 year old Mateo Silvetti brings essential speed up front.
Whitecaps manager Jesper Sorensen indicated he is not overemphasising his sides consecutive triumphs against Miami in April.
"It feels almost like it happened last year, does it not?" Sorensen noted on Thursday. "This is a fresh encounter. It features two sides that play in their own styles, and we shall discover the victor on Saturday."
Messi, who has seldom addressed the media during his two years in Florida, shared with ESPN Argentina in a Thursday interview his conviction that hosting the game on Saturday might sway the outcome towards Miami.
"We are in excellent form, the squad is robust and enthusiastic," he stated.
"Competing at home offers an advantage. Despite enduring a period of great variability and difficulty in securing consecutive wins, we have consistently performed well at home."
Awaiting Messi, though, is longtime rival Mueller. The 36 year old Bavarian ranks among the scant footballers globally with a positive head to head record over Messi, prevailing in seven of their ten clashes.
Among those successes feature the 2014 World Cup final, where Germany inflicted a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat on Argentina in Rio de Janeiro, and Bayern Munics 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona in the 2020 Champions League last eight.
"Reflecting on history, I feel at ease with it, as it is recorded, and I gained plentiful positive experiences in those encounters with my clubs, so it was enjoyable," Mueller commented regarding his prior matchups with Messi.
"Yet it holds no relevance for Saturday, it is a new contest."