Miami: Lionel Messi will not play for Inter Miami as the defending Leagues Cup champions begin their repeat bid on Saturday at home against Puebla, Miami coach Gerardo Martino said Friday. The 37-year-old Argentine striker suffered a right ankle injury in his nation's victory over Colombia in the Copa America final this month. Messi missed two MLS matches last week and Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars.
Martino said Messi remains in a walking boot as he works with club trainers but "the ankle is getting better and better," according to the Miami coach. Last year, Messi arrived at Inter Miami and led the club on a title run in the inaugural edition of the Leagues Cup, which features MLS and Mexican clubs in a World Cup-style format. There are 15 three-team groups in the first round and two from each will advance to the knockout stages along with the reigning league champions, Club America and the MLS Columbus Crew.
This year's opening matches were played Friday with host Orlando routing Montreal 4-1, DC United winning 6-5 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at Atlanta and 10-man host Austin edging Mexico's Pumas 3-2. Icelandic midfielder Dagur Thorhallsson, Uruguay's Facundo Torres and Argentine striker Ramiro Enrique gave Orlando a 3-0 half-time lead and Argentina's Martin Ojeda added another goal in the 57th minute while Montreal's Josef Martinez, a Venezuelan midfielder, averted a shutout loss in the 69th. Austin goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland denied a.