‘Messi Madness’ as VAR Controversy Costs Orlando 3-1 Defeat to Miami

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona teammates outlasted Orlando City in a hotly contested game. Jordi Alba made his debut in pink for Inter Miami as he joins Busquets and Messi in the South Florida renovation project. Orlando City equalized early on but ultimately fell short after a second-half surge from their newly reinforced rivals.

The action started early and often as both teams scored within the first 20 minutes of play. However, the officials inserted themselves into the contest towards the end of the first half. Debatable yellow cards were given–and not given–to key players on both sides. One of those culprits was Lionel Messi, who avoided a second yellow card after a strong challenge on Orlando’s Cesar Araujo.

Rivalry renewed in Ft. Lauderdale

Araujo scored the lone goal for Orlando in the 17th minute. A generous rebound in the box found his right foot and Orlando seemed poised to go for more. Despite their best efforts, Orlando was up against a rising Miami current that could not be dismayed.

The rising tides in Fort Lauderdale were spearheaded by the greatest player of all time. Messi showed his true world-class caliber over and over this game. His first goal against the run of play is a perfect example of how dynamic Messi’s game has become regardless of his age. The selflessness to give the penalty to a struggling Josef Martinez spoke volumes as well. Make no mistake, Messi possesses the same gene as great players like Tom Brady and Lebron James when it comes to making his teammates better.

Robert Taylor has looked like a completely transformed player since Messi’s arrival. The Finnish international has enjoyed a renaissance on the left wing since Messi’s implementation in the attack. No player has taken a greater leap in quality than Taylor in Miami’s last couple of games. Tata Martino’s faith in his European starlet continues to pay off.

No team is complete without a locomotive in the midfield, and Miami has their talisman now with Sergio Busquets. The 35-year-old World Cup winner has been a difference-maker for Miami. The defensive midfielder did the dirty work against Orlando, usurping possession in the defensive halves and constantly putting pressure on Orlando’s back line. Jordi Alba also featured for Miami as he came off the bench to consolidate his team’s victory.

A black eye on the beautiful game?

With all the positive superlatives for Miami out of the way, it is hard to neglect the impact that officiating had on the result of this Leagues Cup tie. Oscar Pareja had strong words for the officiating in the post-game presser, where he criticized the penalty call:

“We have to be clear. The game was disputed by two teams… the reality on the call of the PK. It became a circus. Today was a circus.”

— Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja on VAR officiating during Leagues Cup tie.

This criticism comes with some merit as popular pundit Taylor Twellman also echoed similar sentiments about the penalty call as well as Messi’s missed second yellow card. Games like this can be detrimental to the integrity of the sport, let alone the tournament that MLS and Liga MX are trying to grow. Controversy withstanding, Messi’s impact on United States soccer cannot go unnoticed. Media outlets reported that Messi’s debut game against Cruz Azul became the country’s most-watched soccer game in the U.S. since 2004.

As Inter Miami’s title run for Leagues Cup glory deepens, expect that number to be trounced yet again. Messi & Co will face FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium this Sunday as they lock horns in the round of 16.

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Nicolas Vera is a reporter for Florida National News, part of the FNN News Network. | info@floridanationalnews.com