[LIVESTREAM]Apple-TV!]* Inter Miami vs Nashville Live Free Broadcast ON 19 August 2023
NSH vs MIA: Get stats, preview and live details of the Leagues Cup final between Messi’s Inter Miami and Nashville.
Miami and Nashville both joined Major League Soccer in 2020 as expansion teams, but have had drastically different approaches to life in the league.
Inter Miami has sought stars from the start, with French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi and Argentine World Cup finalist Gonzalo Higuain among those in the past to wear the Herons’ distinctive pink uniform.
Then they made the most publicized signing in MLS history this summer to acquire Messi only nine months after he led Argentina to a World Cup title. And the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has delivered, scoring nine goals in the tournament since his debut in the group opener and assisting four more scores.
Messi’s most recent goal came in a 4-1 semifinal win at the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, and his 10th could help Miami make history.
On Saturday, one team will lift their first trophy in club history as the Leagues Cup final will take place at GEODIS Park in Nashville at 9 p.m. ET.
The match will pit two expansion clubs who got to this point in different ways against each other.
Since both have already qualified for Concacaf Champions Cup, the real prize is etching themselves in history by not only winning their first trophy but also winning the first edition of the revamped Leagues Cup.
Adding to the drama is just how much these teams are a study in contrasts. Nashville have built a squad behind reigning MVP Hany Mukhtar but Miami have burst on the scene after adding Lionel Messi to the squad.
While Messi was obviously expected to lift Miami to new heights, few could've expected his first six games to be this explosive, producing five wins, nine goals and an assist for him and an appearance in a cup final.
Miami have been able to win without two of their newest signings even begin available due to visa paperwork, so they're just getting started. Messi has been at the center of the club's resurgence but he hasn't been alone as his
supporting cast will also need to play a large part in the final.